AGARTALA, Nov 11 (TIWN): The SMART City vision since it began, has been undergone tremendous debates and criticism. In its 18 months, since the SMART City was launched, the Ministry of Urban Development was criticized multiple times by the opposition party leaders, which lead into rigorous debates. However, after lot of controversy few states have finally accepted the 50 : 50 deal of Centre / States, which was however denied by NE state Tripura, a state which is running by Communist Govt. The mission’s vision is to provide the citizens a decent quality of life, with a clean and sustainable environment. However, the central Govt will provide them Rs. 500 crores per city for this over a 5 year period, with states or urban local bodies matching the contribution. Now question is if Rs. 500 crores is the half investment, thus the rest 500 crores among total 1000 crores have to be provided by the state govt. Is it possible for states to provide ?

In an answer experts have said this 5 years investment is a smart investment for which the leader has to have an investor like attitude, where PPP model to other private tender models will be the key to success. Already many state leaders are excited to invest in this 5 years plan. 

Chief Minister of Tripura attacking the PPP model said that it’s bogus, whereas the whole world is running with it.  NITI Aayog member Bibek Debroy well said that 'the central can push you, help you up to a level but every states are known for its own capacity'.

Hence it’s true how far based on the central funds states can be progressed? When the state govt will invest by itself ? The present central govt of India is investing for NE region more than it takes loan from the banks, the why the state govt here is not ready to take any initiative, any risks for investment?

Government has requested all sectors and participants to provide suggestion on this topic for pursuing PPP (Public Private Partnership) and it has mentioned that Government Body will not act as dictator in any circumstances. Private sectors will be the Partner in the form of Investors, developers, designers, service providers, Academia and Consulting firms etc. States and ULBs need to get on board.

But few leaders as Manik Sarkar, can stay under waist level water after sudden splash of rain, but not ready to invest anything so that the citizens stay well, whether it was said that the cities should be prepared like European Cities and the residents of those cities should get all the basic facilities like 24x7 water supply & energy, efficient urban mobility, good governance, ICT, safety etc. It is about ease of business and about people to live in happiness, once the state govt with PPP model can invest for own capital city’s growth.