Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala’s capital city Thiruvananthapuram has figured on top of the 30-city list released by the federal government on Friday, which will receive federal funds for infrastructure development to be raised to the level of smart cities.
In all, the federal government is planning to establish 100 smart cities across the country.
Earlier, Kerala’s commercial capital Kochi had also figured in the list of smart cities.
The chosen cities will receive investment funding worth Rs10 billion (Dh568 million) including Rs5 billion provided by the federal government for improving basic infrastructure and establishing good residential and civic facilities.
Altogether, the federal government is visualising an investment of Rs1.91 trillion to develop the proposed 100 smart cities.
With Friday’s announcement of 30 more cities by federal urban development minister M. Venkaiah Naidu, the total number of smart cities announced has reached 90. Another 20 cities are in the race to be named in the final list of 10 more cities.
The vision for Thiruvananthapuram as a smart city involves developing an inclusive, safe and accessible city with better public utilities and efficient use of land while protecting the city’s environment and cultural heritage.
