By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, MAR 25, 2015: AS per the Urban Development MInister, Mr Venkaiah Naidu, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will be created for each city to be included in the Smart Cities scheme. Speaking on the smart cities initiative at a Conclave organized by a media group here yesterday, Mr Naidu said that efficient deployment of human and physical resources is one of the objectives of the scheme.

Mr Naidu elaborated that the present deficit in physical, social, economic and institutional infrastructure will be bridged to make the cities more livable and drive the economic growth. He said that this infrastructure deficit will be bridged by retrofitting of identified areas of a city and redevelopment of areas which are not amenable to retrofitting to enable such areas conform to the norms of smart city. In addition, pan-city schemes like efficient public transport systems including ring roads, e-governance initiatives etc. will also be undertaken under brownfield development.

Stating that present conditions in urban areas are in a bad state, any improvements in infrastructure and other amenities would make a difference to the quality of living, Shri Venkaiah Naidu said that "the objective of smart cities building is to enable such changes in a sustainable manner for long term results. Smart solutions will be applied to places and projects to enable efficient utilization of limited resources like land, water, power etc."

Mr Naidu said that "building smart cities does not mean putting in place glossy skyscrapers. It is all about imparting a human face to urban development so that the aspirations of socio-economic advancement are fulfilled through adequate employment and livelihood opportunities".