100 smart cities project: Autonomous body to be formed to oversee the project
A senior official in the Ministry of Urban Development recently announced a good news which will bring a lot of cheer to the nation. He mentioned that the Government is likely to entrust the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), an autonomous body, with the task of overseeing the ambitious ‘100 smart cities’ project.
The official also stated that the Urban Development is a State subject and, hence the states will have to take the first step with respect to identification of projects, etc.He also added that the Urban Development ministry is not willing to execute the projects. They feel it would be a good idea to create a monitoring and handholding mechanism. The official emphasised on the formation of an autonomous body for this purpose.
The official also stated that the body will take care of the entire gamut of smart cities. This will include the identification of the smart cities, the location, the project infrastructure, the facilities etc. The final guidelines for this project are expected to come by September 10.
The proposal was there earlier that all the state capitals should be converted into smart cities. This autonomous body will decide the same. The budget allocation, the ways to raise the funds etc. will be chalked out by this autonomous body. Now the nation is waiting ‘’Acche din aane wale hain’’.
Source- The Hindu Business Line
100 smart cities, Ministry of urban development, National Institute of Urban Affairs, NIUA, Urban development ministry
