Marking a century, Shillong enters in the Smart Cities league

Shillong, June 21: Entering the league of Smart Cities, Shillong the capital city of Meghalaya has marked a century in the list of the ambitious programme launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi two years ago.

The Northeast region has been on the developing edge with many states growing and developing with the slew of initiatives slated by the government before the states. Prior to this, the government had selected 99 smart cities, of which nine were added in January 2018 and 30 in June 2017. As many as 20 cities were also selected in January 2016, 13 in May 2016 and 27 in September 2016.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs stated that with the selection of Shillong, the total proposed investment in the finally selected 100 cities under the Smart Cities Mission would be Rs 2,05,018 crores. The Ministry had kept the slot empty for the city of Shillong as the state had submitted its proposal on a delayed time zone.

Under the Smart Cities scheme, each city will get Rs 500 crore from the Centre for implementing various projects. An equal amount, on matching basis, will have to be contributed by the state or urban local bodies.

The 100 Smart Cities Mission was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 25, 2015.

Under the mission, the selected cities would take up the various project, including 'smart' roads, rejuvenation of water bodies, building cycle tracks, walking paths, smart classrooms, skill development centers, upgradation of health facilities and pan-city projects like integrated command control center.