PM to launch projects in 20 smart cities tomorrow

 Launching the execution of smart city project for 20 cities selected in the first round, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will set the plan rolling on June 25 in Pune.

“This marks the beginning of holistic and integrated urban development in the country as envisaged under the new urban missions launched by the government,” an official statement said.

The first lot of 20 smart cities will be linked on this occasion through video-conferencing. These cities have proposed a total investment of Rs 48,000 crore in area development and pan-city solutions.

 

The Prime Minister will launch 14 projects under Pune’s smart city plan at a programme to be presided over by Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu. Maharashtra Governor C. 

Vidyasagar Rao and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will also be present on the occasion. 

Sixty-nine other such projects will be launched the same day in other smart cities, entailing a total investment of about Rs 1,770 crore. 

These projects are related to solid waste management under the Swachh Bharat Mission, water supply, sewage treatment plants and development of open and green spaces under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).

It will also include housing projects for the urban poor under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and area development and technology based pan-city solutions under the Smart Cities Mission, the release said. 

Some of the projects to be launched include New Delhi Municipal Council area where mini-sewerage treatment plants, 444 smart classrooms, bio-methanation plant, WiFi, smart LED streetlights, city surveillance and command and control centre would be initiated.

Modi will also inaugurate ‘Make Your City SMART’ contest, aimed at involving citizens in designing smart cities, which promises a reward of Rs 10,000-1 lakh for winners. “Suggestions and designs suggested by the citizens will be duly incorporated by respective smart cities,” the official release said.

Smart Net Portal also will be inaugurated by Modi. The portal enables the cities under different urban missions to share ideas and source solutions for various issues during the implementation of the missions. 

Smart Cities Mission, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) were launched by Modi on June 25 last year. 

Subsequently, two rounds of City Challenge competitions were conducted to pick up the first lot of 20 smart cities whose projects are being launched on Saturday.