GUWAHATI, Aug 9 - Public-Private Partnership (PPP) would be the key to successful implementation of the ambitious Smart City project in Guwahati, with the Union government�s contribution being only Rs 400 crore for the project worth Rs 2,400 crore, said the GDD Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in State Assembly today.
Replying to a question by BJP MLA Bhabesh Kalita, the Minister stated that it is a tough project to implement and the remaining Rs 2,000 crore have to be arranged by the State government, mainly through PPP.
�The Centre has approved Rs 400 crore, of which Rs 300 crore has been released. It has asked the State government to contribute Rs 400 crore for the project and generate the rest through PPP projects,� he said.
�Against the common belief that the Union government would give a huge amount for the Smart City project implementation, we have to generate the funding through private partners, which is tough compared to the big cities like Delhi or Mumbai,� he pointed out.
He further added that the State government would release Rs 200 crore next year.
�Initially, the project would focus on wetland development, including the development of Borsola beel, Deepor beel, Mora Bharalu and Bharalu. No major roads of infrastructure development would be taken up now,� he added.
Tenders have been invited for the project management consultancy, which would get to work in the next 45 days. �In consultation with the PMC, we would identify the projects to be solely done by the State government and to be done in the PPP mode,� he added.
