Of all places, Nagpur feeling the heat of being a Smart City

The idea behind creating one hundred smart cities across India has found many takers across the nation. There are people from all quarters who have openly shown their support for the cause. However the practical application and implementation of this project is a big challenge as the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) recently found out.

For transforming this Orange City into a Smart City, the total estimated investment is Rs. 200 Cr meant to be spent by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation over the next five years over and also above this, an additional amount of Rs.50 Cr. Per annum to be spent for city development projects. This amount is a staggering 25 % of Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s revenue. Apparently there will be a contribution of equal amount of funds from the Central Government.

The process of participation in Smart City project is carry out by NMC by giving a detailed project report (DPR) which includes the area of developmental work NMC wants to cover. Further the administration will present the proposal before the general body meeting. This meeting provide a consultant who will also design a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and housing for all projects.

The criterion of Smart City Project is creating difficulty for NMC because it says, the local civic body need to raise the fund up to Rs. 50 Cr. and the investment should be of Rs. 200 Cr. The total amount is exceeding their present budget to the extent where NMC is falling short of paying the employees and the bills of the developmental work.

There will be a proposal present by local civic body where the funds of central and state government are going to spend in public sanitation. To build a proper toilet for the community is one of the basic need of hour. It is pretty much evident in the consensus of 2011 where 27,518 families are not access to the toilet in their home.

The condition is somewhat improved as recent consensus shows the decrease in the amount families not having toilets which is 3,376. Observing the good results, NMC decided to request the public to inform the local civic body about not having toilet in their home.

In the ongoing Swacch Bharat Abhiyan, state and central government have decided to provide Rs. 4000 and Rs.8000 respectively to the families who are deprived of toilet. If the toilet making costs exceeds the cost and amount provided by central and state government then the difference will be divided among the NMC and other inheritors.

Along with this, two more proposal under the consideration of NMC is Rs 55 per sq fit developmental charge for the people who live in Hudkeshwar and Narsala and the demolition of ruined public toilets in Mominpura and Jagnath Budhwari.

Considering the financial status of NMC and the required investment for the project, it seems that NMC have a lot of difficult time to face.