KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
At a time when 100 cities across India will be eyeing the results of government nominations for its ambitious Smart Cities project this afternoon, Jammu and Kashmir would be just a spectator rather than a participant.
Reports said the PDP-BJP government promising Smart Cities in their Common Minimum Programme (CMP) has already lost the opportunity in deciding between choosing Jammu and Srinagar as its nominee for the project.
The Smart City believed to provide “very high quality of life comparable with any developed European city” will be given one to each state.
Service levels, existing infrastructure and track record are the three essentials for getting the Smart City tag. Reports say the top 20 cities chosen for the project will be financed this year. But the cities failing to break into the list will be asked to “focus on deficiencies and prepare for Round 2 of the competition”. But while remaining indecisive, JK has already lost the opportunity, reports said.
Notably, the PDP-BJP coalition government might have failed to send their nominations for the competition, but their “Agenda of Alliance” stresses to “include Srinagar and Jammu in the Smart Cities”. Mufti Sayeed-led new dispensation had earlier vowed rebuilding Smart Cities at state’s twin capitals affected by the flood.
Started this summer, the Smart City mission is viewed as the government’s big push for urban renewal in almost 100 Indian cities and towns.
