Nashik civic body firming up plan to get NURM funds

The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) is working on a vision document to get funds from the National Urban Renewal Mission (NURM) of the Union government. The document will be prepared within three months and forwarded to the Union government for approval.

Under the scheme, cities with a population of 10 lakh will be granted development funds by the Union government.

In order to qualify, it is necessary for the concerned city administration to chalk out a vision document/ detailed project report (DPR). Nashik is one of the four cities in Maharashtra with a population of more than 10 lakh.

Speaking to Business Standard, Vinita Singhal, commissioner, NMC, said, "We have no problems about the statutory condition. The administration has already started preparing a DPR to qualify for funding under NURM. The corporation is also planning to chalk out a vision document, which will be prepared within three months."

She further added, "To chalk out the vision document, we have held talks with US Agency for International Development (USAID), which is ready to provide both technical assistance and 100 per cent finance. The municipal authorities in Mumbai have already prepared a vision document with the help of some agencies, while the Pune and Nagpur municipal corporations are also planning to chalk out their plans with the help of USAID."

"In the report, NMC will focus on the city's core problems such as roads, residential development, slum rehabilitation, transport and pollution," Singhal said.

A senior NMC official said, "Nashik is expanding rapidly. The population of the city has reached 15 lakh and will touch 20 lakh in the next few years. At this juncture, it is necessary to firm up a proper action plan and implement it effectively for developing the city. This goal can be achieved through NURM funding."