10 Cities in Maharashtra to be Developed on Lines of Smart Cities: CM

BW Online Bureau Jun 20, 2016

THANE, June 17: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said 10 cities in the state would be developed on the lines of Centre's Smart City programme.

"10 cities in the state would be developed on the lines of the Smart City programme (of the Union government)," Fadnavis said after inaugurating the Smart City Summit at Kalyan in the district.

"Credible, efficient, transparent, and inclusive planning was the base for (any) smart city. And these cities (to be developed) would be provided with necessary funds," he added.

The Chief Minister further said the Smart City concept initiated by Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) "was not meant only for handful of rich people but was meant for one and all from the cities".

"Unless and until all classes (of the society) participate, the city will not become smart. The investment made in the city will definitely be useful," Fadnavis added.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said hereafter the civic bodies would not be given permission for dumping grounds.

"Instead they (the civic bodies) should find the ways and means to dispose of the waste scientifically," he added.

"We (the state government) will think positively to implement cluster development for Kalyan-Dombivili on the lines of the one in Thane city," Fadnavis said.

The Chief Minister also said Oracle has selected twin cities of Kalyan-Dombivili for implementation of its e-governance pilot project.

"The technology being used in Los Angeles (in the United States) would be used in Kalyan-Dombivili. In this connection a team of (state government) officials would be visiting the firm's headquarters in Bengaluru on June 22. A MoU will be inked with the company in July (in this regard)," he added.

Fadnavis said that citizens have a right to get time bound services from the government and hence the state government is implementing the right to services.

"(In the) next two years, citizens will not be required to go to any government office for their services. All the apps will be available on the mobile itself," he said.