Pasighat vying for Smart City status in first lot

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

Pasighat, Nov 17: Centurion town Pasighat, the headquarters of East Siang district is striving hard to get selected in the first batch of 20 cities this year across the country under Smart City initiatives of the Centre, out of total 100 chosen.  The Union Ministry of Urban Development has selected 100 cities in the country under Smart City mission with one city each in the North Eastern states for five years (2015-2019), while 20 cities would be selected every year through tough competition. “Each selected city would be provided an amount of Rs 1000 crore with 50:50 share (Centre:State) by the Centre to be developed into a smart city with all modern amenities,” Municipal Executive Officer of Pasighat Municipal Council (PMC) Deepak Shinde told a Press conference here on Monday.

He said, the Centre would consider for 90:10 fund sharing for all the north eastern states. Stating that the district administration has been making all-out effort to prepare a good smart city proposal for submission to the Centre by December 17 next, Shinde disclosed that the mes of 20 cities to be taken up this year would be announced by December end this year.  “Pasighat town having a population of 24,000 with 5000 households are ahead among all NE states. We have already started process for preparation of the proposal after the state government recently appointed a consultant,” Sinde, who is the in charge DC disclosed.

“Several initiatives have already been taken by conducting awareness campaign among the people to get their opinions and suggestions by conducting door to door campaigns, street meetings and other publicity,” he said. Replying to media queries, Shinde informed that requirements of the people vary from area to area. However, the basic requirements are electricity, road connectivity and infrastructure development.“We are trying to accommodate all the demands of the people. Currently we are alyzing the requirements on area basis and will incorporate in the proposal on need-based,” he said adding, the main USP of the proposal would be on tourism development and horticulture, while importance would be laid on generation of green energy (solar and wind) for economically backward people.

He further disclosed that an amount of two crore has been sanctioned by the centre for preparation of the proposal.When asked on measures to be adopted to ensure judicious utilization of the fund under smart city initiative, Shinde categorically said that special purpose vehicle to implement the project proposal. PMC Chief Councilor Denong Tamuk who was also present in the press conference informed that he had recently met Union UD Minister Venkaiah idu and requested him to attach priority to Pasighat.