ASCDCL claims of completing 12 projects under Smart City Mission; ranks 46th in India

Aurangabad, June 21:

Aurangabad was selected under Smart City Mission in 2015. Accordingly, the Aurangabad Smart City Development Corporation Limited (ASCDCL) has received Rs 441 crore in the last six years. Of which, the special purpose vehicle (SPV) claimed of spending Rs 346 crore, so far. The ASCDCL chief executive officer (CEO) A K Pandey underlined that 12 projects had been completed, work orders to start eight projects have been released, tenders process of four projects are underway, and six projects are at the estimate stage.

As reported earlier, the projects valuing Rs 1,000 crore were approved under the Mission, out of which, the contribution of the union Government is Rs 500 crore and the share of the state and the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is Rs 250 crore each. The AMC will be depositing an installment, out of its contribution, in the Smart City Account.

Of all the projects proposed, Smart City Bus is the biggest project. ASCDCL had spent Rs 40 crore to purchase the state-of-the-art buses and it requires Rs 236 crore to maintain the services (in the next 10 years). The money will be needed to pay staff salaries, maintenance of buses, fuel expenses, etc. The second major project was Master System Integrator (MSI). A sum of Rs 178.73 crore will be spent upon it, said Pandey adding that setting up of Command and Control Centre (to keep an eye on the city through CCTV cameras) is also important.

Priority to important works only

The ASCDCL has decided to complete important works on priority. It includes fixing of water meters, surveying of properties, setting up of lighthouse, exhibition centre under Kranti Chowk flyover, etc. It may be noted that the union Government has made it mandatory to spend Rs 20 lakh per month on Smart City works. However, the ASCDCL could spend Rs 10 lakh per month only. Aurangabad city is in 46th position out of all 100 Smart Cities selected from the country, said Pandey.

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Estimate of projects proposed under Smart City Mission

Sr.NoProposed Projects Estimated Cost

1Smart City Buses Rs 236 crore

2Wildlife Safari Park Rs 240 cr

3Master System IntegratorRs 178.73 cr

4Rooftop Solar Rs 0.57 cr

5Bicycle track Rs 3 cr

6Digital Displays Rs 0.75 cr

(Love Aurangabad, Love City of Gates)

7Shahgunj Clock TowerRs 0.29 cr

8Conservation of Heritage GatesRs 4 cr

9Bus Way at Railway StationRs 0.65 cr

10Sant Eknath RangmandirRs 0.73 cr

11e-Governance Rs 38 cr

12Street for Peoples ChallengeRs 8 cr

13Light House Rs 6.50 cr

14Ch.Shivaji Maharaj MuseumRs 0.35 cr and

15Command Control CentreRs 8 cr