Centre grants Rs 18.28 bn for Puducherry Smart City Mission

The Union Government had granted approval for taking up various developmental works to worth Rs 18.28 billion under the Smart City Mission in Puducherry, Chief Minister N Rangasamy said. Presenting the Budget for 2022-23, Rangasamy said the government had proposed to take up work in various sectors including tourism and heritage, electricity, affordable housing, education, water supply, sewage e-health, solid waste, urban drainage, optical fibre, urban transport, industries and ecommerce. The works would be completed before June 2023. The construction of a mini sports stadium at Anna Thidal and construction of 220 dwelling units at Chinnayapuram for economically weaker sections under affordable housing project at a cost of Rs 966 million and Rs 180.30 million respectively are under way. The Chief Minister said improvement of to the Government Botanical Garden, urban forest area of Swadeshi mills, and beautification of the Grand Canal would also be taken up under the Smart City Mission. In addition, a facelift would be provided to the existing bus stand on Maraimalai Adigal Salai and a new bus stand would be constructed on the East Coast Road. The Goubert Market would be reconstructed and the work had been allotted to the National Building Construction Corporation. All the above works would be taken up at a cost of Rs 3.13 billion. The Government has also proposed to operate 25 e-buses and 50 e-autos under the Smart City Mission. See also: Offences will be addressed under Smart City projectAmidst issues, Belagavi won the Smart City award