City witnessing momentum in development after inclusion under Smart City Mission

Aurangabad, June 7:

Aurangabad, the historic city, withness a push in the development and beautification works after its inclusion in the Smart Cities Mission by the union Government in 2016. Accordingly, the Aurangabad Smart City Development Corporation Limited (ASCDCL) has received Rs 441 crore as their share in the project from the union and the State Governments.

Of the total money received, the ASCDCL had spent Rs 346 crore on undertaking various ambitious proposals like Smart City Bus, Safe City - CCTV Surveillance, conservation of heritage gates and clock tower, etc. These works have indeed enhanced the beauty of the city.

The ASCDCL, however, could manage to complete only two projects up to 100 percent. The proposal of establishing a Master System Integrator (MSI), which was included in the Smart City project in the first phase, is ongoing. The installation of 750 CCTV cameras, display of 50 digital boards, Cat's eye (on roads), marking of Zebra crossings, signboards stating traffic rules, direction boards at various places, Command Control Room (CCR) to keep a vigil on the developments in the city through these CCTVs, etc have been done by spending a fund of Rs 176 crore. The development of Wildlife Safari Park is also underway. ASCDCL had purchased 150 android-based E-ticketing machines for Smart City Bus. Meanwhile, the tender of valuing Rs 42 crore has been floated to upgrade the E-governance system of AMC. To add beauty, the display of alphabetical boards reading Love Aurangabad, Love Khadki, etc in various corners of the city has been completed. The conservation of heritage gates and the clock tower in Shahgunj is also being done through the Smart City fund. The project aims at reviving the past glory of these heritage structures.

AMC to invest Rs 250 cr?

It may be noted that the union government had approved development works of Rs 1,000 crore. The works will be completed with the share of the union Government (Rs 500 crore), the State Government (Rs 250 crore) and the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (Rs 250 crore). Meanwhile, the AMC is reeling under financial crisis, but both the governments had clarified that they will release their next installment of Rs 250 crore only after the AMC puts its share in the project?

The ASCDCL chief executive officer (CEO) A K Pandey said, " The Smart City fund was lying unused. The Smart City bus service was continued. Later on, the other projects started to roll on. The conservation of heritage gates, clock tower, CCTV, etc ambitious projects got started. The remaining projects will also be completed in the coming year."