UD Ministry asks States to ensure launch of #smartcity projects by June end
Secretary (UD) speaks to CEOs of SPVs of 16 smart cities and senior officials of States
Professionals also to be considered for appointment as CEOs, States told
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Shri Rajiv Gauba, Secretary (Urban Development) spoke to the Chief Executive Officers of Special Purpose Vehicles set up for implementation of smart city plans and Municipal Commissioners of 16 Smart Cities and Mission Directors and senior officials of 9 respective state governments through video-conferencing and urged them to ensue launch of projects by June 25th. During the two hour long interaction, Shri Gauba reviewed the progress in respect of conversion of Smart City Plans of these cities into specific projects for tendering and awarding of works.
Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Assam that account for the remaining four smart cities have been kept out of the review as assembly elections are in progress in these cities.
Shri Rajiv Gauba ascertained progress by each city in respect of putting in place institutional mechanisms, transfer of central grants and share of respective states to SPVs, preparation of Detailed Project Reports for calling tenders etc.
Each of the 16 cities furnished details of projects being prepared in respect of Area Based Development including Retrofitting and Redevelopment and ICT based Pan-city solutions.
While urging the Smart Cities to ensure appointment of full time CEOs for the Special Purpose Vehicles, Shri Rajiv Gauba urged them to look beyond the IAS cadre given the shortage of officers and choose professionals for heading SPVs.