Centre’s transfer Smar City funds awaited

It was supposed to transfer ₹194 crore, the instalment for the first two years

The Central government is yet to transfer the first instalment of funds for the implementation of the Smart City project in the city Corporation.

The Centre was supposed to transfer an amount of ₹194 crore, the instalment for the first two years, soon after the selection and registration of the Special Purpose Vehicle for the Smart City project.

Though the registration of the SPV was done way back in September last year, the funds from the centre are yet to come in. “We have written to the Centre quite a few times. As per one of the replies, we were supposed to get it in January. But that has not happened,” said a Corporation official.

Projects worth ₹1,538.2 crore are to be implemented as part of the Smart City project in the Corporation area, out of which the Centre provides ₹500 crore and the local body and the State government pitches in with an equal amount. The local body also plans to channel more funds for the project by integrating various other existing schemes into it and also be going for a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model for some projects.

Two days ago, the State government had accorded sanction for the release of an amount of ₹10 crore, as State share for Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Ltd for the year 2017-18. An amount of ₹5 crore is available as part of the local body’s plan this year.

The delay in getting funds might not be an immediate concern for the bigger projects, as the management consultancy to execute the project is yet to be finalised. But the Corporation is planning to begin earlier the work on those projects, which could be implemented without a project management consultant. Such projects, which the Corporation could execute by itself, are being identified. These include projects for solid waste management at source, upgrading of anganwadis, smart bus stops and other similar projects.

But the projects for multi-level parking lots, shifting of various utility lines to underground ducts, skywalk and bicycle ways require a project management consultant.

In the three succeeding years, the Centre is supposed to transfer ₹98 crore each, provided the fund utilisation in the previous year touches 70%.