‘Selection would be strictly on the basis of the criteria laid out by the government ’

The government’s much awaited ‘smart cities’ initiative will roll out in a month’s time, Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said here on Monday.

The Minister said the two new major initiatives of the government in the urban sector — the development of smart cities and the New Urban Development Mission for 500 cities — are set to take off. Approvals were being obtained.

Referring to the delay in execution of work, the Minister said smart cities, being a transformative new initiative, required extensive consultations with all stakeholders, including the States, urban local bodies, related Central Ministries, real estate developers and experts such as architects, designers, and urban planners.

The Minister reiterated that selection of smart cities would be strictly on the basis of the criteria laid out by the government and no concessions would be made.

Speaking at a symposium organised by the Council of Architecture, Indian Institute of Architects, in association with FICCI and CREDAI, Mr. Naidu said basic urban services and amenities would be provided under the New Urban Development Mission for 500 cities while projects of wider impact based on area development would be taken up under the smart cities scheme.

Source: TH