Evaluation criteria for Smart City plans firmed up

NEW DELHI: Based on credibility, feasibility and citizen engagement, Smart City plans will be evaluated by the Urban Development Ministry for selection of first batch of 20 cities after detailed consultation with states and urban local bodies (ULB).

Smart City plans are to be submitted by December 15 to the Ministry by the 98 identified mission cities for evaluation in the second stage of City Challenge Competition which will be assessed for their credibility and doability.

The mission cities are currently engaged in preparation of Smart City plans for evaluation so as to be selected for the first batch of 20 mission cities for financing this year, said a senior UD Ministry official.

98 cities were earlier selected based on intra-state competition in the first stage of City Challenge Competition based on a set of criteria.

The evaluation criteria for second stage of competition accords a weightage of 30 out of 100 marks for implementation framework including feasibility and cost effectiveness, 20 for result orientation, 16 for citizen consultation for identifying goals, 10 for smartness of solutions, 10 for adoption of SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis for preparation of strategic plan and 5 each for city vision and quality of city profiling including identification of key performance indicators (KPIs), potential for improvement of city and 4 per cent for processes followed.

Smart City plans will be assessed based on city-level criteria (30 per cent weightage), area based development features (50 per cent) and pan-city solutions (15 per cent).

Based on the suggestions from states and ULBs, weightage for pan-city solutions has been increased from 10 per cent to 15 per cent.

Citizen engagement has been made mandatory for identifying smart city objectives and evolving strategic plan under city-level criteria, deciding on area development features and identification of Pan-city Solutions with a total weightage of 16 per cent.

City-level criteria includes measures taken during the last three years to enhance livability and administrative efficiency of cities, quality of city vision and strategic plan, identification of gaps and KPIs and potential for improvement.