Odishatv Bureau

Bhubaneswar: Though the Centre is yet to pick up two cities from the State to include in its list of ambitious ‘Smart City’ project, the Odisha government today held a consultative workshop of all five municipal corporations which will compete with each other for the elite tag.

Sources said, the urban development department has asked the civic bodies to fulfil the required parameters for the project before its recommendation to the Centre. The proposals from the States will be reviewed before the final list on the project is announced.

Sources added that a committee headed by chief secretary GC Pati would shortlist the two cities. The selected cities from the State have to participate in a city challenge competition along with 98 others to figure in the final list, official sources said.

Under the Smart City scheme, the Centre aims to develop 100 cities in three different phases and will provide Rs 100 crore annually for five years. The state government will also contribute an equal amount.

A potential smart city should have assured water and electricity supply, sanitation and solid waste management, efficient public transport, affordable housing, robust IT connectivity, e-governance, safety and security of citizens and health, education and economic activities.

scrollToTop