Swiss ambassador visits Gujarat, confirms Rajkot city for CapaCITIES project

“We were discussing the proposal for the last six months and it had already been approved in-principal. However, the Swiss ambassador wanted to ascertain leadership here. He was especially concerned about citizens’ consultation and participation. He was satisfied with our efforts and after our meeting today, he formally confirmed selection of Rajkot for the project,” Nehra told The Indian Express after the meeting at headquarters of Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC).

The three-year project is aimed at evolving low-carbon development strategies, efficient transport facilities, disposal of solid waste and sewage and knowledge-sharing.

“In next couple of weeks, RMC and SDC will sign formal memorandum of understanding for the project. By March 2016, SDC is likely to shortlist agencies for implementing the project and identify broader focus areas for Rajkot. We expect execution to start from April 2016,” Nehra further said.

Von Castlemur also visited a housing project of RMC in Popatpara area. “One of the scopes of the project is affordable housing. RMC has a number of affordable housing projects going on. They are meant for the people coming from economically lower strata of the society. So we conveyed to him if energy-efficient appliances can be supplied to them and also quality of building material and public transport facilities for such residents,” said the commissioner.

Under the CapaCITIES project, agencies hired by SDC will train RMC workforce, will do research to meet specific development needs of the city and share best technologies and practices in the world.