Ahead of PM Modi’s visit, fight begins over credit for smart city projects in Pune

24/06/2016

PUNE: Ahead of the mega event of inauguration of select projects of Pune smart city by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pune Mayor Prashant Jagtap has sparked a controversy by announcing that three of the 14 projects that would be launched by the Prime Minister are that of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and not of the Pune Smart City Development Corporation Ltd (PSCDCL). However, the municipal commissioner was quick to say that the projects are linked to the smart city projects.

The Prime Minister will arrive in Pune on Saturday, June 25, 2016.

“There are 14 projects of Pune that would be launched by the Prime Minister on Saturday. The Utility Vehicle Management System and Grievance Redressal, GPS on BRT and non BRT buses, Smart Mobility Card and Mobile App are the projects of PMC,” said Jagtap.

He said that it was a good moment for the PMC as its three projects alongwith the smart city projects would be launched by the Prime Minister. “I have urged the civic administration to ensure that the public is aware that three of the 14 projects are of PMC. These are being implemented using the civic funds,” said Jagtap.

When contacted, Municipal Commissioner Kunal Kumar said the projects that have been pointed out by the mayor are linked to smart city mission. “They are linked to smart city mission and would be implemented under the area development,” he added. Kumar said that there would be an exhibition at the venue where the PSCDCL would have three stalls on sustainable development, smart mobility and area development of Baner Balewadi.

He said that it has been decided to invite 5,000 people for the event. “The plan is to invite people from all sections of the society. There would be people representing the slum, women, students and other social sectors,” Kumar said.

The Prime Minister would launch the smartnet portal that would have all information of all the smart city projects being implemented by the 20 smart cities in the country, he said.“The Make You City Smart contest’ of the Union Urban Development Ministry would also be launched on the occasion. The event would have a direct video conferencing link with the 98 potential smart cities selected by the union government and the Prime Minister would communicate with the representatives of the few cities,” he said.