The opportunity for Smart Cities in India can be pegged at $50 billion for global investors. While more than 15 countries and 30 organisations across the world have already collaborated for the mega project, the objective of Smart Cities Mission is to promote cities that provide core infrastructure and give a decent quality of life to its citizens, a clean and sustainable environment and application of ‘Smart’ Solutions.
On all the platforms like mygov.in, Local Circles and other government’s social sites, people across the country unanimously agreed to begin with cleanliness as starting point of the project and integrated solid waste management to make city live able first.
Making ‘Clean City’ as the top priority, the Government has imposed a Swachh Bharat Cess at the rate of 0.5% on all services liable to service tax. Proceeds from this cess will be exclusively used for initiatives. The cess will help achieve the need-of-thehour public toilets, dustbins and mechanised waste management.
The States and ULBs will submit their proposals by December 15 and the first 20 cities will soon get selected for the first phase of financial allocation and the sustainable investment & funding. Meanwhile, the cooperation between the States & Centre, the design of PPP projects and the engagement of citizens will be interesting to watch out for.
Uncovering the real challenges and hurdles on ground, Clean India Journal covers the plans for making smart clean and functional cities that could be replicated in other parts of the world. Experts closely associated with the projects give their views on the subject.