Nagpur: The much awaited announcement of cities to be developed as ‘Smart City’ in the first phase is likely to be done on January 26 if Government sources are to be believed. Curiosity as well as anxiety has gripped the Nagpurians and NMC officials as they are expecting their Orange City to figure in the list.
The Central Government had announced development of 100 cities across the country as ‘Smart Cities.’ The names included Nagpur, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Amravati, Pune, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivali, Nashik, Aurangabad, and Solapur in Maharashtra. The Central Government had issued guiding principles for the cities to be included as ‘Smart Cities.’ The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), striving hard for the past four months, prepared a ‘Smart City’ proposal with the help of ‘Delivering Change Foundation.’ The NMC sought suggestions and opinions over the concept of a ‘Smart City’ directly from citizens as well as experts by launching a campaign.
The campaign received an overwhelming response as over 3.5 lakh citizens participated. Subsequently, based on the ideas and opinions of more than 2.5 lakh citizens, the NMC prepared the ‘Smart City’ proposal. The civic body submitted the Rs 3351 crore proposal to the Central Government even before the December 15 deadline.
Now, the wait is for the announcement of cities to be included in the ‘Smart City’ project in the first phase. Nagpurians as well as NMC are banking on the Orange City’s geographical position, political will power and an immense opportunity for development as the positive aspects to figure the city in the prestigious list.
