Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation Assumes Control of Smart City Projects
In a significant administrative move, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Commissioner Shravan Hardikar has issued a directive for civic officials to take over all ongoing and completed projects implemented under the Smart City Mission by March 31. This decision marks the formal dissolution of the Smart City Mission office, with all projects being handed over to the respective departments of the municipal corporation for execution and maintenance.
Directive for Project Transfer and Departmental Ownership
Shravan Hardikar, the PCMC chief, emphasized the urgency of this transition, stating, "I instructed the concerned departments to take over these projects from whichever stage they may be in. The municipal corporation will take ownership and ensure that the projects are completed and operated effectively." A senior PCMC official confirmed that once implemented, the Smart City Mission office will cease to exist, and all projects will be formally transferred to their parent departments within the civic body.
Committee Formed to Oversee Smooth Transition
To facilitate this process, a three-member committee has been constituted to review all projects implemented by the Smart City Mission's office and oversee their smooth transfer. Hardikar clarified, "The Smart City Mission's office will no longer have control over these projects. They will be handed over to their respective parent departments." This step aims to ensure that the objectives of various works under the initiative are fully achieved, addressing past inefficiencies.
Background and Financial Overview of Smart City Mission
Pimpri Chinchwad was selected under the Smart City Mission in 2017, leading to the implementation of projects worth approximately Rs 980 crore. The financial breakdown includes a contribution of Rs 490 crore from the Centre, Rs 245 crore from the state government, and the remaining amount borne by the civic body. Five major projects were executed under this initiative, spanning multiple departments and managed by the Smart City Mission's team.
Criticism and Operational Challenges
Despite these efforts, the mission's office faced criticism over several projects that remained non-functional, incomplete, or encountered operational issues post-completion. A notable example is the 'City Surveillance Initiative' involving CCTV installation, which drew flak as more than half of the cameras remained non-functional despite project completion. This has led to additional expenditure by the municipal corporation to maintain and operationalize these projects, even after utilizing funds from both the Centre and state.
Staff Repatriation and Future Steps
As part of the transition, civic staff deputed to the Smart City Mission's office will be repatriated to their parent departments. Contractual employees will continue until their contracts expire, after which they will be relieved if their services are no longer required. This restructuring aims to streamline operations and enhance accountability within the municipal corporation, ensuring better management of public resources and project outcomes.
