AGARTALA, March 30 (TIWN): In a drive to move ahead with the concept of the SMART CITY, and to enlarge the smart city mission, the Agartala Municipal corporation chairperson Prafullajit Sinha on Wednesday held meeting with the municipal councilors at City centre.

The meeting hold discussion on the issues related to how make Tripura more prominent to the concept of Smart city. The meeting further discussed that the Smart Cities project will help the people to become responsible towards their city. The smart city project will ensure better civic amenities to the people to improve the quality of life for the residents

The government’s vision is to develop cities with technology-based governance that will enable efficient public services and have 24×7 water and power supply, 100 per cent sewerage, drainage and solid waste management facilities, besides top class infrastructure. Besides, it is also plan to develop these cities on public private partnership basis and is on top most priority. Every city would on an average need investments to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore over next 10 years. The Government wants that the private sector to contribute largely, nearly 80-85 per cent, towards this development,

Continuous supply of water and electricity, advanced health facilities, hassle-free transportation system, wi-fi enabled zones, effective garbage collection and treatment of garbage and sewage are some of the essential components of the Smart City project. The urban local bodies will have to undertake certain reforms in order to be eligible to be part of the Smart City project.

The Mission will cover 100 cities and its duration will be five years (FY2015-16 to FY2019-20). The Mission may be continued thereafter in the light of an evaluation to be done by the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) and incorporating the learning’s into the Mission. The smart city proposal aims to improve the livelihood of people in the city providing several facilities. Each city must convey its own unique vision that reflects local context, its resources and the priorities and aspirations of the citizens.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has selected 100 ctites including Agartala across the country to upgrade as smart cities. In the first phase, the Centre will pick up 20 cities for the project. In a move aimed at enhancing the quality of urban life, the government has unveiled a list of 98 cities in the country for the Smart City Mission. The central government proposes to give financial support to the extent of Rs.48, 000 crore to these cities over the next five years.