The Nashik Municipal Smart City Development Corporation (NMSCDCL) has not yet completed three of the 21 projects under the Smart City Mission, even though the official term of the program ended on March 31. On March 28, the state government directed NMSCDCL to transfer the completed projects to the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) for further management. Under the Smart City Mission, NMSCDCL launched 21 projects with a total investment of Rs 10 billion. Of these, 18 projects, worth Rs 6.50 billion, have been completed, while three remain under development.

Sumant More, the CEO of NMSCDCL, confirmed that 15 of the completed projects had already been handed over to NMC, with the remaining three, including Goda Park and roadworks in gaothan areas, in the process of being transferred. Among the pending projects, two are progressing steadily and are expected to be completed by the end of April, while the third is slated for completion by December. More assured that these projects will be formally handed over to NMC, ensuring their continued operation and maintenance.

The Smart City Mission was originally designed as a five-year initiative, scheduled to conclude in June 2022. However, the central government extended the program until March 31 of this year, providing additional time for the completion of ongoing projects. The total estimated cost for the 21 smart city projects is Rs 11.22 billion, including Rs 1.75 billion for two projects—streetlight installation and solar panel implementation—executed under the public-private partnership (PPP) model. The remaining 19 projects, valued at Rs 9.46 billion, have been financed by the smart city corporation.

NMSCDCL has received Rs 8.97 billion in funding from the central and state governments, as well as from NMC. This includes Rs 4.65 billion from the central government, Rs 2.32 billion from the state government, and Rs 2 billion from NMC. However, NMC has yet to release Rs 480.51 million in outstanding funds. To date, NMSCDCL has spent Rs 6.50 billion on various smart city initiatives.

Despite the progress made, the timely completion of the remaining projects remains a priority. The transfer of completed projects to NMC will ensure their continued management and maintenance, reinforcing the city’s commitment to urban development, technological advancement, improved transportation networks, and enhanced infrastructure.

News source: Prop News Time