Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir is set to get two Smart Cities for both its capitals, Srinagar and Jammu, when the result of Smart City Challenge-II (Round-III) is announced by Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Department on June 23.
Talking to KNS, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh, who is also the minister for Housing and Urban development department in the state, said the state has submitted a “very good” proposal to Government of India for Srinagar and Jammu to qualify as smart cities.
“I am hopeful that both the cities will qualify in the competition of Smart Cities,” Singh told KNS.
“We will be in the competition and I am sure that both the cities will get a nod to be developed as Smart Cities,” he said.
Launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2015, the Smart City Mission is aimed to improve basic urban infrastructure in the cities. Nearly 100 cities will be developed as Smart Cities by the Union Urban Development Ministry.
Jammu and Kashmir may be the first state which will get two Smart Cities as earlier only one city was reported to be sanctioned under the Mission. But following criticism by the Opposition and differences between PDP and BJP over whether Srinagar or Jammu should get the status, proposals were submitted for both the cities.
The proposal was preparation by M/s Voyants Solutions Pvt Ltd which was hired as consultant by the state government to frame the proposals.
The setting up of Smart Cities is also part of Agenda of Alliance signed between BJP and PDP before the formation of the collation government.
Smart Cities development includes development of core and quality infrastructure like adequate water supply, assured electricity supply, sanitation-solid waste management, efficient urban mobility and public transport, affordable housing, robust IT connectivity and digitalization, good governance especially e-governance and citizen participation and sustainable environment etc. (KNS)
