Agra Smart City Project to begin from next month: UP CM to officials

By Realty Quarter Bureau

Taking cognizance of delay in implementing the smart city project, state government has pulled up officials concerned and ordered that the proposed development projects commence in June. According to sources, the government wants to showcase “smart” development of major cities ahead of the general elections due in 2019.

Agra was selected for the smart city scheme in September, 2016. Post selection, a team called special purpose vehicle (SPV) was constituted and registered under the Companies Act. It is named, “Agra Smart City Limited”, and is headed by the divisional commissioner. The SPV has been entrusted with the responsibility of planning, appraising, approving, releasing funds, implementing, managing, operating, monitoring and evaluating the smart city developmental project.

According to sources, the SPV has not been able to properly accomplish its responsibilities. In September, 2017, SPV tasked a private consultancy company to prepare a detailed project report. Several detailed project reports (DRPs) prepared by the consultant was rejected due to technical flaws. In this regard, the SPV sought clarifications from the consultant. Overall the Agra smart city project failed to take off on ground.

According to officials of the Agra Municipal Corporation (AMC), Rs 214crore worth DRPs of smart city development works have been prepared. Tenders will be issued soon. RK Singh, nodal officer in-charge for Agra Smart City project said, “The principal secretary has directed officials of cities selected under the smart city scheme to ensure ground implementation of development plans as soon as possible.”