Synopsis
While most cities are looking to complete all projects by June, the ministry is worried about the progress in 20 laggard cities. At the top of this list is Shillong, which has completed only one of the 18 projects planned - which means 94.44% of the projects are incomplete. This list of 20 laggard cities is dominated by cities from the north-eastern states.
With barely one-third of the projects completed in 20 out of the 100 smart cities, the Centre is mulling extension of Smart City Mission beyond the June 2023 deadline.
The ministry of housing and urban affairs is examining the possibility of extending the deadline for completion of projects in at least 20 smart cities so that all planned projects are completed, said people aware of the matter.
If extended, this would be the second extension for the flagship mission, which was launched on June 25, 2015. The mission had an initial deadline of June 2021 but was extended for all cities to June 2023. As per the ministry's statistics, 7,742 projects worth ₹1,81,561 crore have been sanctioned under the Smart City Mission in 100 cities. However, 49% of the projects worth ₹89,000 crore are still incomplete and are in various stages of implementation.
While most cities are looking to complete all projects by June, the ministry is worried about the progress in 20 laggard cities. At the top of this list is Shillong, which has completed only one of the 18 projects planned - which means 94.44% of the projects are incomplete. This list of 20 laggard cities is dominated by cities from the north-eastern states.
"There is a possibility that projects which have not even got off the ground in some cities will be looked at again. But in cities where they are showing some progress, the mission period will be extended," said a senior official, who did not wish to be identified,
The Centre had earmarked ₹6,800 crore in the budget estimates for 2022-23. It was revised upwards to ₹8,800 crore in the revised estimates stage. The mission has seen the highest outlay in the ministry for 2023-24 at ₹8,000 crore.
Only 20 cities are likely to complete all projects and the remaining would need an extension of at least nine months, said officials.
---
Autor(en)/Author(s): Nidhi Sharma
Quelle/Source: The Economic Times, 13.04.2023
Bitte besuchen Sie/Please visit:
