The State Government on Saturday finalised Rourkela Smart City projects for onward transmission to the Union Government.
“We discussed about the Smart City proposal of Rourkela city. The project proposals are ready for onward transmission to the Union Government. Rourkela will compete with 66 other cities this time,” Chief Secretary AP Padhi told reporters after presiding over a high-level meeting at the State Secretariat here. Padhi advised the UlB to focus on convergence of various schemes and projects at ground level so as to maximise the outcomes. The project proposal would be sent by end of this month.
While it is estimated that Rs 2,500 crore to be invested, the Union Government would give Rs 500 crore and the State Government would arrange the rest amount by way of convergence of schemes.
Rourkela has many striking features to be included in the list of Smart City. The proposal envisions transforming Rourkela into a citizen-centric and self-sustainable city with adequate economic, social and political opportunities through participatory approach.
The important projects proposed include river front development at Panposh, connecting neighborhoods, provision of 24x7 water supply, multi-utility citizen service, entrepreneurship development, children and senior citizen friendly civic life, transport complex, development of smart corridor, development of core business and core institutional area, development of tribal art and culture, housing and social infrastructure.
Among others, Housing and Urban Development Secretary G Mathivathnan, Rourkela ADM Monisha Banarjee, Rourkela Municipal Corporation Commissioner Akshaya Kumar Mallick and project consultants from the DFID were present.