Govt sets ball rolling for smart city project in Ujjain

NEW DELHI, Feb 6: The Government has started the process for construction of a smart city near Ujjain which is being developed under the ambitious Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project.

The DMIC Development Corporation has invited bids for developing trunk infrastructure for Vikram Udyogpuri near Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh.

“This project has the potential of boosting the industrial development in the region and will have vibrant industrial spaces planned with other residential and commercial uses with ‘walk-to-work’ concept,” a senior DIPP official said.

The project will be the first smart city development under the DMIC project, the official added.

Its site is spread over an area of 1096 acres and it would have world-class infrastructure facilities. It is planned to ensure a sustainable environment with high standards of smart infrastructure services by way of integration of ICT with trunk infrastructure.

International competitive bids have been invited for developing trunk infrastructure which includes water supply, sewerage treatment, administrative building, common effluent treatment and roadways among others. The Government will provide funds for the trunk infrastructure through DMIC Trust.

In the seven investment regions to be developed under the USD 90-billion DMIC project, Pithampur-Dhar-Mhow was identified for the development in the first phase of the project.

In this investment region, Vikram Udyogpuri project is one of the early bird projects which has been taken up for development.

The master plan for the smart city has already been accepted by the State Government and the land acquisition has been completed.

The total project cost is Rs 808.5 crore with the first phase costing Rs 305 crore which has now been taken up for implementation. The project is being implemented on engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), the official said.

It is expected to bring in investment to the tune of Rs 11,000 -13,000 crore over a period of 30 years.

This will be a new hub for non-polluting industries and knowledge related development on the lines of green city with ample open spaces and green areas.

Provisions have been made to create a robust and high quality infrastructure of roads, communication networks, commercial facilities and certain common infrastructure that will benefit the local population.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) had last year approved the development of the trunk infrastructure for Vikram Udyogpuri which falls in Pithampur, Dhar Mhow investment region of the DMIC project. (PTI)