The state government is likely to propose to the Centre for inclusion of six cities in the state in the Smart City scheme of the Union government. "In addition to Puri, which is recognised as the heritage city by the Union government, we are proposing five cities with corporations- Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Rourkela and Sambalpur for inclusion in the Smart City scheme of the Centre," said Pushpendra Singh Deo, minister, housing & urban development.
In a bid to modernise the Indian cities and make them internationally competitive, the Centre has decided to support the development of 100 smart cities in the country.
The scheme ensures maximum travel time of 30 minutes in small and medium size cities and 45 minutes in metropolitan areas, 24x7 water supply , 24x7 power supply, 100 per cent household with direct water supply connections, 100 per cent households with access to toilets and 100 per cent schools with separate toilets for girls.
Hundred per cent of the households will have a telephone connection including mobile, Wi-Fi connectivity to 100 per cent of the city with 100 mbs speed among others.
The 100 cities may include nine cities of four million plus population, 35 cities having population between one to four million, 25 cities with 0.2 million to one million population, 17 Union territories or state capitals and 10 cities of tourist, religious and economic importance.
