SHILLONG: With the Meghalaya capital chosen as the 100th smart city, urban affairs minister, Hamlet Dohling said the state government could not afford to miss out on the golden opportunity over the 50:50 funding pattern.
The state had earlier requested the central government for a 90:10 funding pattern citing funds constraint.
The Centre had allotted the final slot to the city under the Smart Cities Mission recently after evaluating a proposal submitted by the state government.
Talking to newspersons here on Monday, Dohling said the state government was awaiting the necessary details for approval of the proposal made by the Meghalaya government.
He however confirmed that the project would be developed on a 50:50 funding pattern.
“We are lucky that Shillong has been selected by the government of India and we cannot waste such a golden opportunity,” Dohling said.
He further said that the government would try to mobilise the resources for the massive projects to be taken up under the Mission.
The Union ministry had kept the final slot under the Smart Cities Mission on hold (despite Shillong being included in the scheme) as the state government could not submit its proposal on time because of the Assembly elections on February 27.
The 100 Smart Cities Mission was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 25, 2015. Under the mission, the Centre allocates Rs 500 crore to each of the cities for implementing projects proposed by it. This amount is matched with a grant of the same amount by the respective state.
With the selection of Shillong, the total proposed investment in the finally selected 100 cities under the Smart Cities Mission would be Rs 2,05,018 crore.