Union Urban Development Secretary Shankar Aggarwal unveiled that the framework for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious project of developing 100 smart cities will be finalized by next month-end. The minister further said that the government in next two days would be completing the process for identification of 100 smart cities.
The government’s objective is to develop cities with technology-based governance, which will enable efficient public services and have 24x7 water and power supply, 100% sewerage, drainage and solid waste management facilities, besides top class infrastructure.
Further, the government expects a large contribution from the private sector in developing the cities as it plans to build this project on public private partnership basis. As per the envisaged plan, every city would on an average need investments to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore over next 10 years and the private sector is expected to contribute largely, nearly 80-85%, towards this development, according to the government.
Besides, Union Urban development ministry has asked the states to ensure that the cities picked under the smart cities initiative would have to meet the broad contours listed by it, including economically viable cities, meeting the requirements of 'e-governance', 'Swachh Bharat' and 'Make in India’.
Lastly, the minister unveiled that the centre would take a final call on criteria like cities accounting for 54% of incremental GDP till 2025, hill and coastal areas, tourist and religious centres and mid-sized cities