The initiation of the second phase of the Smart City project, CITIIS 2.0, has spurred the central government into action, inviting proposals from 100 cities across the nation. Belgaum is diligently preparing its innovative proposal focusing on solid waste management, with all arrangements in place for submission to the Center by January 15, 2024.
The selection process for the CITIIS-2.0 Smart City-2 project has kicked off, marked by a recent workshop in Delhi that brought together officials representing the 100 smart cities in the country. Once the 18 chosen cities are identified, each will receive an allocation of Rs 135 crores, accompanied by a grant stipulating that 80% must be directed toward solid waste management, adhering to specified regulations.
The deadline for proposal submissions to the Center is January 15, 2024, and the most promising proposals will be finalized on January 20. A subsequent workshop is slated to occur in Kochi, Kerala, from December 12 to 14.
The recent workshop saw the participation of key figures from Belgaum, including Smart City Managing Director Afrina Banu Bellari and Municipal Corporation Environment Department Assistant Executive Engineer Hanumant Kaladagi.
Belgaum earned its place in the central government’s Smart City project in the first phase of 2016, accompanied by a substantial grant of Rs 1,000 crore for the city’s development. The official launch of the Smart City project took place on June 25, 2016, with a mission to achieve smart city status within a five-year timeframe, culminating by June 2021.
CITIIS 2.0, a collaborative effort of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) with partners such as the French Development Agency (AFD), KreditanstaltfürWiederaufbau (KfW), the European Union (EU), and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), spans a four-year period. The program comprises three major components, focusing on financial and technical support for smart cities, climate action support for states and union territories, and national-level interventions to facilitate scale-up across all cities and towns.
Under CITIIS 1.0, 12 cities were selected through a challenge process, each with specific projects promoting a circular economy and integrated waste management. The National Project Management Unit, situated at NIUA, ensures effective implementation through regular visits, capacity building, and peer-to-peer learning. The program’s progress undergoes periodic reviews conducted by the government’s Apex Committee.
