SHWETA KAMAT
The State government on Monday granted its approval to Rs 981.11crore Smart City Proposal (SMP) for Panjim city, with a major thrust on ‘eco-mobility and public transport system and improvement of conservation zone’. The proposal will be submitted to the Union Ministry for Urban Development on Thursday, to get the city selected for funds in the first year of the Smart City Development Mission.
While the Government is confident enough to get Panjim selected in the first year along with 19 other cities, the non-funding or non-financial share by the Urban body – the Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP), the prime criteria of the Smart city Mission, the capital city may miss the bus this year. Prime Minister, Narendra Modi is expected to make the announcement of the first 20 smart cities on January 26, next year.
The High Powered Coordination Committee (HPCC) on Smart City headed by Chief Secretary, R K Srivastava on Monday granted its final approval to the SMP- which speaks about Rs 304.22 crores share by Central and State government respectively over the next five years. Another Rs 299.98 crores is expected to be funded through public private partnership (PPP).
The Smart City Mission consultant – ICLEI South Asia, had drafted Rs 1313.74 crore SMP for the city, which as per the final proposal was reduced to 981.11 crore, following revised guidelines from the Union Ministry, ruling out that the share of PPP should not be more than the overall State share.
Addressing media persons, Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) Managing director, Sanjit Rodrigues said that the SMP has received the HPCC approval along with State government’s administrative and financial approval. A cabinet note on the proposal is also been moved to the Ministers on Monday morning.
“Of the total Rs 304.22 crore State share, the entire amount would be contributed by the State government, as the financial position of the CCP does not allow it to take up such huge proposals,” Rodrigues said adding, “However, the CCP would spend around Rs 72.69 crores per year towards contingency and operation and maintenance cost.”
“We hope to get selected in the first year. We feel our proposal is smart enough to be considered. But at the same time, non-contribution by the Urban body will go against the State. That is one area, where we have failed,” Rodrigues stated.
He also said that while the government is spending around Rs 304.22 crores over the next five years, a revenue of only Rs 14 crores is envisaged during this span.
The Pan-City, with a total of Rs 205.35 crore investment, focuses on eco-mobility and public transport system’, which speaks about cycling stations, smart parking, public bike share etc.
On the other hand, an amount of Rs 403.08 is been earmarked for Area Based Development with potential areas identified- improvement of conservation zone Sao Tome, Fontainhas, Mala and parts of Panjim – 2kms or 500 acres.
In the first year, a total amount of Rs 203.31 crore would be funded, followed by Rs 175.31cr in the second year, Rs 156.61 cr in the third year and Rs 73.21cr in the fourth.
