Smart City projects to accelerate economic growth: Council

NEW DELHI: Smart Cities Council India today hailed the government's decision to approve 100 Smart City projects and new urban renewal mission, saying that this would accelerate the growth in the economy.

The Union Cabinet today gave its nod to NDA government's flagship 100 smart cities project and the new urban renewal mission with a total outlay of about Rs 1 lakh crore.

Smart Cities Council India has been formed to promote development of smart cities in the country. It is part of the US-based Smart Cities Council, which is a consortium of smart city practitioners and experts, with a 100-plus member and advisor organizations operating in over 140 countries.

"This is a great move by the Cabinet as cities are engines of the growth. They contribute 60 per cent plus to the GDP. Prime Minister has chosen the right means of accelerating growth in the economy," Padode said.

He said the spending on cities is only 0.7 per cent of the GDP, but these cities give 60 per cent plus of GDP as output.

On the fund allocation, Padode said: "It's a good beginning. However in our opinion one would require Rs 3 lakh crore per year for the next 20 years for urban renewal mission, which includes smart cities projects."

The Mission of building 100 smart cities intends to promote adoption of smart solutions for efficient use of available assets, resources and infrastructure with the objective of enhancing the quality of urban life and providing a clean and sustainable environment, the government said.

Under smart cities initiative, focus will be on core infrastructure services like adequate and clean water supply, sanitation and solid waste management, efficient urban mobility and public transportation, affordable housing for poor, power supply and robust IT connectivity, it added.

Smart Cities Council India will launch a guide to help urban planners understand the framework of smart city and take steps to improve city's infrastructure.