Bhubaneswar: Urban experts feel the provision of the Chief Minister’s Smart City Mission, with a Rs 100 crore allocation in the budget, will accelerate urban transformation in major cities of the state.This new initiative targets comprehensive development through the convergence of urban infrastructure schemes.In the budget speech on Friday, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi said, “To accelerate urban transformation, I am introducing a new scheme, Chief Minister Smart City Mission, with an allocation of Rs 100 crore. This new initiative targets the comprehensive development of major cities through the convergence of urban infrastructure schemes and ensures the provision of basic urban facilities to become liveable.”Besides the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, Rourkela, Puri, Berhampur and Sambalpur are likely to benefit from the new scheme. “The allocated amount will help complete ongoing infrastructure projects that are running in convergence with many other projects. The separate allocation under the smart city head will not only help expedite and supplement the work but also help chalk out new plans for city-specific works to improve the living condition of people, reduce pollution and introduce more beautified landscapes,” said senior urban planner Sanjib Guru.The integrated transport corridors are being planned with provisions for non-motorised transport, while water supply networks will be equipped with sensors for the detection of leaks and effective management.The CM also proposed Rs 320 crore under the ‘Samruddha Sahara’ (progressive town) scheme, which includes investment for comprehensive town planning, new city development and cities as growth hubs., covering area surveys, road infrastructure and essential utilities like sewerage and electrification, and specifically targeting the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri-Paradeep Economic Region and key urban clusters like Sambalpur and Berhampur.To ensure asset sustainability and livelihood generation in urban areas, the budget proposed allocating Rs 200 crore for urban wage employment for maintenance of parks and gyms under Mukhyamantri Sahari Bikash Yojana.Moreover, ensuring universal water security in urban areas also remains a priority. The CM proposed a combined investment of Rs 1,767 crore under the SUJALA and AMRUT 2.0 schemes. To achieve a Swachha Odisha, there is an outlay of Rs 710 crore, which includes Rs 280 crore under Swachha Odisha and Rs 430 crore under Swachh Bharat Mission, to fast-track bioremediation of legacy waste, operationalise waste-to-energy plants and modernise solid waste infrastructure.
