In Karnataka, several cities selected under the Smart City project, including Bengaluru, have the dubious distinction of underutilising funds released for implementing various projects.
However, a report brought out by the Smart Cities Council of India on the project across the country claims that the projects are progressing at a very good pace. The report states that the past 15 months saw a 183% growth in tendered projects and a 224% growth in the implementation or completion of projects.
The report further states that out of the 5,000 projects proposed by the 100 cities selected under Smart City project, tender has been issued for 3,800 projects, worth ₹1,418 billion, and 1,100 projects, worth over ₹201 billion, have already been completed. The report states that the remaining project tenders will be issued by March 2020. The council brought out the report at the Smart City Summit and Sm@rt Urbanization, a convention and expo organised by the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation in association with the council and other agencies in the city on Tuesday.
The project was initiated by the Union government four years ago, and in a phased manner as many as 100 cities were selected, including seven in Karnataka — Bengaluru, Belagavi, Davangere, Hubballi-Dharwad, Shivamogga, Mangaluru and Tumakuru.
