“We have reached the ninth position in the Smart Cities Ranking.” - Trimbak Dhengale Patil, CEO, Solapur Smart City Under the Smart Cities Mission, Solapur City Development (SCDCL) has installed LED street lights and e-toilets for approximately 500,000 pilgrims visiting the Siddheshwar temple. Trimbak Dhengale Patil, CEO, shares more on the progress… Benefit of events like Smart Urbanation (SU) to India’s Smart City Mission Events such as these facilitate the exchange of ideas. People are made aware of the programmes undertaken by their cities while also providing solutions to problems. Pace of progress under the Smart Cities Mission We have made tremendous progress and reached the ninth rank. The city has a total of 50 projects, of which 34 have been completed and the rest are ongoing. Ten of these projects will be finished in three months and the rest will be completed within the stipulated time. Upcoming tenders and projects in the city We have finished the tendering process for all 50 of our projects; 49 of these have received work orders. Only one project is lingering and that is steady water supply. This is a dream project of the city and receives 40-45 per cent of our funds. It was delayed owing to the pandemic. And because of the price rise in steel, we lost our contractors. We have now floated a revised tender. Thoughts on 18 per cent GST on smart cities Initially, for the first five years, 12 per cent GST had been applicable. In projects like solid waste management, there was none. Now, it has increased from 12 to 18 per cent. For projects that cost so much, this per cent is a very large amount and, essentially, the amount for the increased tax is being paid to the Centre...To read all seven interviews, CLICK HERE.