Kochi Tops Best Cities in State
KOCHI:With Kochi emerging top in the group of cities identified to be included in the 100 Smart Cities programme mooted by the NDA Government, the prospects have brightened for it to become the first such city from Kerala. The Union Government is expected to announce the names of the first set of cities under the 100 Smart Cities programme on August 15, the Independence Day. Initially, the first 20 cities that will get the Central funds for the projects to be undertaken as part of the project will be announced.
As per the guidelines issued by the Centre for the selection of 100 Smart Cities is being done in two stages. Each aspiring city competes for selection as a Smart City in what is called a ‘City Challenge’. The first stage is the shortlisting of cities by the respective states. The state begins with shortlisting the potential Smart Cities on the basis of conditions precedent and scoring criteria and in accordance with the total number allocated to it. The first stage of the competition is intra-state as per the criteria put forth by the Centre.
The points will be allotted to each cities on the basis of performance indicators. For instance, if a Corporation has successfully convened all the ward level meetings in a fiscal year, it will be awarded 10 points. If all the houses have toilets in it, another 10 points will be allotted under this component.
“The cities emerging successful in the first round of competition will be sent by the state as the recommended shortlist of Smart Cities to Ministry of Urban Development. Each of the potential 100 Smart Cities will prepare their proposals for participation in the ‘City Challenge’. This is a crucial stage as each city’s Smart City proposal is expected to contain the model chosen,” said the guideline issued by the centre.
According to the officials concerned, Kochi had got an overall score of 90 points and emerged at the top of the list of Kerala cities, followed by Thiruvananthpuram and Thrissur respectively.
“When we contacted the officials concerned, we came to know that they will be sending the list to the Centre this week. Surely, the selection of Kochi as state’s choice for Smart City is a recognition for the good performance that we have achieved in infrastructure, welfare and Health sectors,” said Kochi mayor Tony Chammany.
Bright Prospects
■ Kochi clears first hurdle in its goal to become a Smart City
■ The NDA government’s ambitious 100 Smart Cities project has cities in country competing with each other
■ Kochi with an overall score of 90 points tops of the list of Kerala cities
■ The selection is made in two stages
■ In the first stage cities within a state are adjudged based on the points
■ The points will be allotted to each cities on the basis of performance indicators
■ The the recommended shortlist of Smart Cities is then submitted to the Ministry of Urban Development
No comments:
Post a Comment