France keen to invest in creation of smart cities in Himachal Pradesh

SHIMLA: France is keen to invest in developing 'smart cities' and other urban development projects in Himachal Pradesh and looking forward to invest in the state, French Ambassador to India Francois Richier today said.

The Ambassador, who led a delegation to meet the state's Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and other concerned ministers and officers, impressed that France is keen on developing Smart Cities having adequate infrastructure and facilities like proper water treatment, waste management, urban transport and street lighting in the state.

The delegation deliberated upon various issues pertaining to advanced technologies for developing energy and power projects for Smart Cities in the state.

The delegation interacted on issues related to transport solution and mobility, technical solutions for waste collection, urban transportation and re-cycling, appropriate technology for introducing decentralised seepage management system, etc.

The Chief Minister said the state intended to develop major towns like Shimla, Manali and Dharmashala as Smart Cities and the French government had shown its keenness to adopt the towns and the State government would take up this matter with Ministry of Urban Development Government of India.

The Chief Minister assured the French delegates to study the proposals and seek their valuable and technical expertise as and when required.

Francois Richier said: "We can provide solution to Himachal Pradesh in urban infrastructure, especially urban transport, water and waste management and urban lighting and the state could also collaborate with France in developing smart cities.

According to Richier, several French companies are already working in India for development of better urban infrastructure and metro is one of them.

"In Himachal, the construction of metro is not feasible and our focus here is on developing ropeway and metro cable. We fully agree with the importance of providing environment- friendly transport system, which helps cutting consumption of fossil fuel and lowers impact on climate change and melting of glaciers," he said.

He said there was vast potential to develop renewable energies and tourism in the state.

The other members of the delegation were Jean-Rene, Minister Counsellor and Head of Regional Economic Services for South Asia, Ilika Mann, Counsellor for Regional and Legal Relations, Embassy of France, Ms Fanny Herve, Counsellor Sustainable Development, Embassy of France, Ms Camille Severac, Project officer, French Development Agency in India (AFD) and other delegates specialised in the field of Urban Development and Solar Energy.