PM Modi's ambition gets cabinet nod

MUMBAI, INDIA: In what can be termed as a development that can propel India's rank higher among the pro-digital countries in the world, the union cabinet today cleared the proposal to develop 100 smart cities across the country.

The project, which is close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s heart, got a go-ahead from the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) last week.

To begin with, the smart city project would include 20 cities and the number would subsequently go up to 100.

The government aims to integrate continuous supply of water and electricity, advanced health facilities, hassle-free transportation system, Wi-Fi zones, garbage collection and treatment, with the essential components of the smart city project.

Meanwhile, the Smart Cities Council India (SCCI) will launch a Smart Cities Readiness Guide for India (SCRGI) with 100 case studies from various cities. It has invited industry partners to join the consortium and provide inputs for the report.

The organisation is the Indian arm of Smart Cities Council, a global industry coalition to advance smart city development and innovation. It has tied up with Pratap Padode, President, Foundation of Infrastructure Research Studies Training, a think-tank, to launch Smart Cities Council India.

The guide will be published in September 2015 and will focus on providing solutions which can work at municipal body level.

It must be noted that the finance minister had announced a seed capital of Rs 7,000 crore for development of these smart cities during his budget speech.

The project has spurred interests from international players with developed nations like the US, Spain, Singapore expressing their interest for partnership for the project.