PM Modi to launch works in 20 smart cities on Saturday

Execution of works in 20 smart cities will kick-start from June 25 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi launching 14 projects in Pune, while 69 others will commence in other parts of the country entailing a total cost of Rs 1,770 crore.

Marking the first anniversary of the announcement of the government's flagship programme, Modi will launch the 'Smart City Mission' projects from Pune's 5,000-capacity Shiv Chatrapati Sports Complex.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch Smart City projects on June 25, 2016, kick-starting execution of Smart City Plans of 20 cities selected in the first round of 'Smart City Challenge Competition'," Urban Development Ministry said in a release.

Apart from the Pune's projects, as many as 69 such works will be launched on the same day in the other 'smart cities' entailing a total investment of about Rs 1,770 crore, it added.

These projects are related to solid waste management under Swachh Bharat Mission, water supply projects, sewage treatment plants and development of open and green spaces under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).

It would also include housing projects for urban poor under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and area development and technology based pan-city solutions under Smart Cities Mission, the release said.

Modi will also inaugurate 'Make Your City SMART' contest, aimed at involving citizens in designing smart cities, with a reward ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 1 lakh for winners.

"Suggestions and designs suggested by the citizens will be duly incorporated by respective smart cities," the release said.

The prime minister will also inaugurate 'Smart Net Portal' which enables the cities under different urban missions to share ideas and solutions for various issues during the implementation of various missions.

On the occasion, all the first batch of 20 smart cities under Smart City Mission will be linked through video-conferencing. These 20 cities have proposed a total investment of Rs 48,000 crore in area development and pan-city solutions.

Some of the projects to be launched include New Delhi Municipal Council area where mini-sewerage treatment plants, 444 smart classrooms, bio-methanation plant, WiFi, smart LED streetlights, city surveillance and command and control centre would be initiated.

The function will be attended by Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagara Rao and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, among others.

Besides Maharashtra's Pune, other cities whose projects would be launched include Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Bhubaneswar (Odisha), Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh), Jaipur (Rajasthan), Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), Kochi (Kerala) and Belagavi (Karnataka).