Punjab’s ludhiana city was named one of the cities to be developed as ‘smart city’ by Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday as he announced the list of the first 20 cities to be developed as ‘smart cities’ in the country.
Interestingly, Chandigarh couldn’t make it to the first list that had Bhubaneswar, Pune , Jaipur apart from others.
These cities will be developed to have basic infrastructure through assured water and power supply, sanitation and solid waste management, efficient urban mobility and public transport, IT connectivity, e-governance and citizen participation.
Meanwhile, Punjab BJP president Kamal Sharma has conveyed his happiness over ludhiana making it to the list of the first 20 cities and towns selected under smart cities mission of the Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the Centre.
Sharma said that it was a matter of great pride for Punjab that one of its most significant city - ludhiana, has made it to the smart city project.
"In the next five years, Rs 3 lakh crore will be spent in developing the towns to provide world class infrastructure, as part of the government's big push for urban renewal", said he.