100 Smart City Scheme: Government prepares a draft
Ever since the NaMo government has taken charge in the center, the media is buzzing with the news of 100 smart cities. The government had announced a plan to develop 100 smart cities to provide better amenities in the urban areas and develop the tier II and tier III cities to reduce the load from the metros. The ministry of urban development has prepared a draft concept note on the smart city scheme.
As per this draft the 100 smart cities will include all the state capitals and union territories. It will also comprise 44 cities in the population range of 1-4 million people, nine satellite cities with a population of 4 million or more, 10 cities that are of religious and tourist importance and 20 cities in the 0.5 to 1 million population range.
To flag off this ambitious project, DDA (Delhi Development Authority) will develop a smart city through a land pooling scheme as a demonstrative city. NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Council) area is also being considered to demonstrate components of a smart city. Smart cities aim to provide reliable utility services, sanitation, solid waste management, storm water drainage, energy efficiency and improved access to information.
The high-power expert committee on investment estimates that the annual fund requirement for the smart cities will be Rs. 35,000 crore. This estimate covers water supply, sewerage, sanitation and transport-related infrastructure. The government also has chalked out a plan to raise the funds. A large part of the funds will come from private investments. This amount will be covered by complete private investment or through the public-private partnership (PPP) route.
Source- Mint
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