KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
With the Union Government having given nod to construction of four ‘Smart Cities’ in the State, two each in Jammu and Kashmir divisions, state government’s team headed by Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh is meeting with Union Housing and Urban Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday in New Delhi for formal approval.
Sources said Deputy CM, who holds Housing and Urban portfolio, along with other officials of the government are leaving to New Delhi on Monday to meet the Naidu. “Before the Union Government’s formal approval, Naidu has called the Urban Development Minister and officials from the State for talks on the Smart Cities,” they said.
Nirmal Singh confirmed his proposed meeting with Naidu. “Yes, I am meeting the Union Minister tomorrow to discuss the construction of the four smart cities in the Jammu and Kashmir,” Singh told KNS over phone.
It is pertinent to mention here that Union Urban Development Ministry has cleared the proposal for four Smart Cities—Jammu and Katra in Jammu region and Srinagar and Islamabad in Kashmir division.
Sources said that though Katra and Islamabad did not fulfill the criterion of 10 lakh population for construction of 100 ‘Smart Cities’ in the country but the norms were relaxed in view of their importance as major pilgrim towns.
According to sources, the Union Government has proposed 75:25 funding pattern ratio for the ‘Smart Cities’ The total amount to be incurred on each ‘Smart City’ is being worked out.
Sources added that the work on ‘Smart Cities’ would start only after all these issues are settled. “While Master Plan for Jammu has been finalized and put in public domain for objections, the Master Plan for Srinagar is being finalized,” sources said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced construction of 100 Smart Cities and invited names of the Cities from all the States after laying down the criteria.
