Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said the smart cities project would not undermine the autonomy of municipal corporations and that the civic bodies would have absolute say in determining the development model to transform their respective cities.

Fadnavis strongly defended the Central Government’s decision mandating a Special Purpose Vehicle (SVP) for the smart cities. “It helps in mobilising funds and fast-tracking projects. Municipal corporations may have some financial constraints, which often drag their market ratings and become a hurdle in fund borrowing,” he told the state Assembly on Monday.

Some municipal corporations in the cities short-listed to be developed as smart cities have voiced fears about losing control in the decision-making.

Of the 100 cities from across the country chosen by the Central government for the smart city project, 10 are from in Maharashtra — Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan Dombivali, Amravati, Solapur and Aurangabad. ...

Referring to the growing unrest in cities which have been left out of the smart city list, the CM said, “We have accommodated 43 cities under AMRUT. We are also considering raising revolving funds through CIDCO which could be borrowed as soft loans by corporations for development projects.”

“Smart cities are not for the rich. On the contrary, it would go a long way in unburdening the dependence of 55 per cent population in rural Maharashtra,” he said.