Nagpur: The Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, while replying to questions raised during discussion on supplementary budget, said that the selection of cities to be developed as Smart Cities in Maharashtra was done by Urban Development Department’s Chief Secretary. After the nod by State Cabinet, the Central Government approved the names of the cities. The Smart City project will be implemented in big cities and the Centrally run AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) scheme will be implemented in cities having population of one lakh. 43 cities have been included in Maharashtra for AMRUT schemes out of 500 across the country, said the Chief Minister.
Fadnavis further said that under the Smart City project, last man in the society will be provided the necessary basic facilities. For this purpose, the state-of-the-art technology will be used that will curtail the expenditure. In the Smart City project, the real time information will come to the fore. 100 percent of waste and sewerage water should be treated. Water is economy commodity. Similarly, solid waste will get reprocessed and treated. Transport systems will be integrated for the better services. The parking problem could be sorted out through IT/App medium. Thesre is similarity between SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) and JNNURM. The example is the company that is managing water supply to the city. If a Municipal Corporation thinks it should not be done on PPP basis then it is free to do so. The Smart Cities will be developed within jurisdiction of all the Municipal Corporations, stated the Chief Minister.
He said that 43 cities will be developed under AMRUT scheme.
This is not the Government project but project of people. The projects have been supported by Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray.
The Chief Minister urged all members to approve the supplementary budget. Subsequently, the House passed the supplementary budget on the basis of majority.
Rajeev Ranjan Kushwaha ( rajeev.nagpurtoday@gmail.com )
