Jul 06, 2015 - Vivek Bhavsar | Mumbai

According to civic officials, apart from the state-level High Powered Steering Committee (HPSC), each of the 100 smart cities will have city-level advisory forums. The city-level forum, which will include NGOs, chamber of commerce, women groups and tax payers association will play important advisory role in the development of smart cities. The government also expects active from citizens in governance.

“Once the smart cities are selected through ‘City Challenge’ competition, the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will be created for the implementation of the Smart City Mission in August,” said an official from state urban development department (UDD). For each selected city, there will be a separate SPV, the official added.

The SPV will be a firm incorporated under the Company Act and will be responsible to plan, appraise, approve, release funds, implement, manage, monitor and evaluate smart city development projects.

The official added, “There will monitoring systems at three levels. At the national level, there will be an apex committee (AC) headed by the secretary, ministry of urban development department. The AC will approve the proposals for the smart cities mission and monitor their progress and release funds.” A HPSC chaired by the chief secretary will have representatives of departments of the state government and the mayor of municipal commissioner of urban local bodies.

“The city-level advisory forum, the district collector, MPs, MLAs, mayors, CEO of SPV, local youths, technical experts will be members. Also, the president of the secretary representing the registered residents welfare association, members of the tax payers association, the secretary of slum level federation, women groups, chamber of commerce, youth associations and NGOs will also be members of the forum,” the official said.