Second batch selection for Smart Cities in May-June

Forty cities will be selected for the second phase of the Smart City Mission, which is likely to be announced by June, the Rajya Sabha was told on Thursday.

The first batch of 20 cities was selected in January.

“It is expected that the results of the next phase will be announced by May-June,” Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said in written reply in the House.

Under the Smart City Mission, 100 cities across the country will be developed as Smart Cities by 2019-20 with the Union Government providing financial support to the extent of Rs 48,000 crore over five years–on an average Rs 100 crore per city per year for five years. An equal amount will be contributed by the state/urban local body and the balance funds would be mobilised through various sources such as public private partnership and municipal bonds.