Odisha Govt To Nominate Five Cities For Inclusion In Smart City Concept

23 July, Bhubaneswar

Odisha Government today decided to nominate five cities of the state, including the Capital city for inclusion under the 100 Smart Cities plan of the Central government.

A high power steering committee held under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary G C Pati today selected capital city Bhubaneswar, Rourkela, Cuttack, Berhampur and Sambalpur to be included under the scheme.

On the basis of 15 criteria fixed by the Union government for inclusion under the scheme, Bhubaneswar today secured 70 marks, Rourkela 61.11, Cuttack, while Berhampur and Sambalpur got 60 marks each.

Housing and Urban Development Special Secretary S K Ratho said internal resources generated by the city, sanitation, online grievances redressal system, e-newsletter, water supply operation and maintenance system of the cities among other things were taken into consideration, while awarding the marks.

In the first phase, 20 cities would be selected from across the country under the scheme. The state government would submit its proposal to the Centre by July 31 and the Union government is scheduled to announce the names of the cities included under the scheme in the on August 3.

Under the scheme, each city selected would get a Central assistance of Rs 100 crore per year for five years.