Following the Central government’s decision to invest Rs 1 Lakh Crore to build 100 smart cities across the country, all the Chief Ministers in the country are in a hurry to compete for the funds under City Challenge Corporation. The criteria may be being able to deliver the last mile connectivity for 24×7 electricity, water, solid waste management and mobility options to the people.
Pratap Padode, the founder of Smart Cities Council India feels that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu may be the first to qualify for the funding as he is the man in a hurry. Naidu is already in talks with Singapore for building his capital city and with Japan for taking up the responsibility of converting any other city in the state to a smart city.
The center is also planning to redevelop 500 existing cities in the five years. While Center will be chalking out the guidelines of the smart city, while the states will be executing them. Niti Aayog which was recently formed in the place of the planning commission will be overseeing the entire process.
