Centre to fund two smart cities

After the state government pitched for the ambitious smart city project, the Centre on Friday has agreed to fund its two cities (Pune and Solapur) out of the proposed 10. This will help the state in using more funds of its own for the other cities including Navi Mumbai, Mumbai, Amravati, Nagpur, Kalyan-Dombivali, Aurangabad, Nashik and Thane.

A meeting of state officials from the Urban Development department was held in Delhi on Friday where the state presented a plan on the smart cities and convinced the Centre to fund its two cities. “The Centre has agreed to give full funding for Pune and Solapur. We have also proposed our idea of development of the cities, which the Centre has by and large, appreciated. There are a few suggestions which will be incorporated,” a senior official from the urban development department said.

Meanwhile, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the smart city conference at Kalyan on Friday. He said that sufficient fund would be made available for the development. “Trust, efficiency, transparency and inclusiveness are the main features of the smart cities. The investment will create job opportunities and also provide necessary facilities for the citizens,” he said.

The state government is going to fund the rest of the proposed smart cities in Maharashtra. Navi Mumbai has prepared the most expensive plan of Rs 8,500 crore that include up-to-date infrastructure, 24x7 water supply, security and easy commutation mode. Thane has proposed a plan for Rs 6,630 crore, Nagpur Rs 3400 crore, Pune Rs 2,900 crore and Amravati Rs 5,000 crore.

The work will be done in phasewise manner, the official said.