20–30 cities to come under elite club of Smart Cities

Under the flagship scheme of PM Modi’s initiative to make 100 Indian cities as a smart city, the Centre has planned to take up 20–30 cities to develop them into smart cities this year. The cities to be revamped should meet certain requirements. 

To begin with, the government is planning to create a colony or commercial area of around 50 acres in the vicinity of the city with smart features so that the success model will make people aware and more areas can be developed with people’s participation.

As per the concept note, there will be three approaches – retrofitting, redevelopment and greenfield development. Under the retrofitting scheme, a city can undertake an area of minimum 500 acres and can implement the scheme in three years. Under a redevelopment scheme, a 50- acre area can be taken as a model. Similarly, in the case of greenfield development, the project area can be a vacant land spread over at least 250 acres and can be completed in 10 years.

While selecting the cities, their performance in “Swachh Bharat” scheme and the initiatives taken for good governance, at least 50% tax collection and 60% assessment of properties to name a few, would be considered. Some of the other features that can prove as an advantage for any city are identifying business investment districts (BIDs) that can generate more employment, model byelaws and the existence of a municipal cadre.

- See more at: http://www.varindia.com/20-30-cities-to-come-under-elite-club-of-smart-cities/