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State wants its smart cities based on a theme

While the Narendra Modi-led government has chalked out an ambitious idea for setting up 100 smart cities in the country, the Maharashtra government is planning to take the idea a step further by launching smart cities based on a theme, such as education, health or information technology (IT).

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Mumbai Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
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While the Narendra Modi-led government has chalked out an ambitious idea for setting up 100 smart cities in the country, the Maharashtra government is planning to take the idea a step further by launching smart cities based on a theme, such as education, health or information technology (IT).

Sources said they were looking at government land parcels in places such as Pune, Palghar, Thane and Aurangabad to develop these theme-based smart cities. Otherwise, there is a risk of these prime lands falling prey to encroachments.

"World over, instead of smart cities, there are theme-based smart cities. For instance, Oxford and Cambridge are known by their universities and have developed as educational cities. However, this is an ancient Indian concept; UK adopted it a few hundred years ago. For instance, Nalanda (Buddhist monastery and varsity) and Takshashila (in present-day Pakistan) were also educational cities," said a source. He added that the state government had huge land parcels which stood the risk of being encroached upon. This included around 3,500 acres near Pune, Palghar (480 hectares), Thane (500 acres) and 200 acres in Aurangabad.

"Infrastructure can be developed by the state government there around this idea. For instance, a medical city can be developed at Palghar which can also boost medical tourism. Plus, this hub will also have an added advantage of being close to Mumbai. Similarly, the state can also develop educational and IT cities," the source said, adding that funds could be raised from financial institutions to create infrastructure.
He added, however, that in-depth study was needed to develop the concept.

Apart from evidence-based photography of major projects to plug leakages and corruption, the state is also planning a 'Vikas Mitra' concept, according to which retired government officials and NGOs with a good track record could be appointed to oversee works or specific departments in a district. The finance department is said to have advised further study of the concept.

In the state budget presented last week by finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, an outlay of Rs 268 crore has been proposed for the coming fiscal for the development of smart cities under the Centre's scheme. In his budget speech, Mungantiwar said that to cope up with urbanisation and to attract investments, it is necessary to develop cities by creating physical and social infrastructure.
 

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