The Smart City Project will be implemented six cities of Gujarat state -- Vadodara, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot and Dahod - according to Chief Minister Anandiben Patel.
Addressing the civic body polls meeting, CM Anandiben Patel said, "Tendering and other processes for the Smart City project will begin soon."
The Economic Times reports that the Urban Development Ministry will provide Rs 100 crore to each of the cities over the next five years, as part of the Smart City mission. The announcement comes just days ahead of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation, which is scheduled for Sunday, 22 November.
"(Narendra) Modi-led government at the Centre has announced a list of 98 cities (for Smart City project), which includes six cites of Gujarat. With an aim to achieve targets of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation, the Smart City plan will promote integrated city planning, thereby contributing in the two flagship programmes of the NDA government," The Economic Times quoted her as saying.
The Chief Minister further appealed to the voters to ensure BJP's victory, reminding them all about the development her party has brought to the state in the last couple of decades, specifically the construction of two lakh toilets in 3000 villages, and the pending construction of 18,000 more.
Patel added that Vadodara will be turned into an educational hub, complete with free Wifi service throughout the city.