CM bats for inclusion of Mohali in Smart city project

Asserts that Smart city project is important for holistic development of Mohali

Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today impressed upon Union Housing and Development Minister Hardeep Puri to include SAS Nagar (Mohali) in the Smart city project for its inclusive development.

The Chief Minister, who called on Hardeep Puri here at his office today, underscored the need to develop Mohali as Smart City. He apprised the Union Minister that Mohali is part of tri city comprising Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula due to which this city holds immense significance.

Bhagwant Mann also said that most of the departments of the state government have their head offices in this city due to which it is imperative to give further fillip to its growth.

The Chief Minister said that it is the need of hour to include this city in the Smart City Project for further holistic and planned growth. He said that Mohali and its adjoining municipal committees like Zirakpur, Kharar, Derabassi and Kurali have witnessed immense growth with the international airport/ presence of educational institutes/ townships and industries. Bhagwant Mann said that the area needs special funding to support planned growth and infrastructure development.

Flagging another issue, the Chief Minister requested the restoration of same ratio of funds under AMRUT 2.0 as was earlier in AMRUT 1. He said that under AMRUT 1.0. Centre and State share was 50:50 for towns in one lac to 10 lac population category whereas under AMRUT 2.0, the Centre and State Share has been revised to 33:67 for the towns under the same population category adding that for million-plus cities like Ludhiana and Amritsar, the ratio was 33:67(Centre and State share) and under AMRUT 2.0, it is 75:25.

Bhagwant Mann said that as these towns are rapidly expanding so they need continuous infrastructure development for which old share ratio must be restored.