Chalk out states own Smart City Mission: CM

Bhopal. Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has directed to chalk out state’s own Smart City Mission for other cities in addition to cities selected by the Central Government for Smart City. Selection of Smart Cities under the state mission will be undertaken as per norms for Smart City prescribed by the Central Government. Directing about Smart Cities during a presentation in this regard at Vidhan Sabha auditorium here today, the Chief Minister said that every city has its unique features. Attention should be paid to it in concept of Smart City. In this context, he directed to lay special emphasis on religious tourism for Smart City of Ujjain in view of the city’s religious significance. He said that Ghats of Kshipra river should be developed on global level.

It is noteworthy that the Central Government has selected 100 cities in the country to be developed as Smart Cities. These include 7 cities of Madhya Pradesh including Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Sagar, Ujjain and Satna. In the first phase, 20 cities are to be selected till January 2016.

It may also be mentioned that proposals on 43 points were to be sent for eligibility under Smart City Project of Central Government. These mainly included strategy for development, future planning, area-specific plan, management and fiscal arrangements for city, capacity and opportunities. Feedback was taken from citizens for selection of Smart Cities and proposals were prepared accordingly.

The Chief Minister reviewed proposed schemes and urban management strategy of selected cities. He also held discussions on innovations, worthy of emulation schemes of other cities, fiscal management and coordination with ongoing schemes.

Principal Secretary to CM Shri Iqbal Singh Bains, Secretary Shri Vivek Agrawal and other senior officers attended the meeting.