India and the United States on Tuesday agreed to set up a task force for formulating concrete action plans in the next three months to develop Visakhapatnam, Allahabad and Ajmer as smart cities.
The decision was taken at a meeting between Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu and visiting US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, two days after both the countries inked pacts under which the three cities will be developed as smart cities with the help of United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).
Pritzker was part of President Barack Obama’s delegation on his three-day India visit that ended on Tuesday. According to the decision, each task force will consist of three representatives each from the central and respective State Governments and the USTDA, said a senior official from the Urban Development Ministry.
Each task force will discuss city-specific features, project requirements and appropriate revenue models for flow of investments, before suggesting action plans for developing them as smart cities.
It was during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US in September last year when the issue found mention in the Joint Statement, the official added. Naidu said: “It is now time for both the sides to walk the talk by acting quickly and concretising the agreements reached.”
Contending that the initiative has raised hopes about smart cities becoming a reality, the minister said Obama’s current visit to India has even furthered these expectations. “Action is the need of the hour.” In her response, Pritzker said she was in agreement with Naidu’s views and the needful would be done.
She said that the meeting was in pursuance of Obama’s directive to work on the economic dimension of strategic and commercial dialogue between him and Modi. USTDA will contribute funds for necessary feasibility studies and pilots, study tours, workshops or trainings and other projects to be mutually determined.
It will invite smart solutions for smart cities, reverse trade mission delegation to the US, with delegates from the three states and will fund advisory services to support the development of smart cities.
The respective State Governments will provide resources in support, coordination and facilitation of development of smart cities including technical information and data related to smart cities planning, staff, logistical and travel support.