The Maharashtra government is working on a proposal received from a firm to develop a private smart city at Pen in Raigad district. The concept of a private smart city, which will be undertaken on an experimental basis, may open up gates for more private players to come forward with proposals to build similar cities across Maharashtra. Speaking to The Indian Express, Industries Minister Subash Desai said, “It is my personal view that private smart cities developed on vacant land would work much better compared to the existing townships upgraded into smart cities. It would be complete with special zones such as manufacturing, electronic, IT complete with health, education, transport, roads, gardens, corporate offices and residences within the township.” To begin with, the minister said, the private smart city in Pen was being considered “to see how things evolve”. “It will be developed on 1,000 acres. A private firm, Navi Mumbai Smart City Infrastructure, will undertake the project,” he said. Stating that the state government was keen to promote private smart cities, Desai said, “The initial investment will be Rs 5,000 crore. However, the overall investment is still being worked out, as the initiative of one private firm will not help in building a smart city. It would require many more multinational companies and various sectors to shoulder the responsibility, which will be worked out in the coming months.” He, however, clarified that the state government would “not spend a penny” on the project. “It may provide administrative backing to facilitate the required permissions as per norms. Also, only those who already have a vast stretch of land ownership with clear title will be allowed to build private smart city,” said Desai. The minister said a private smart city was different from the smart cities project undertaken by the government, which was also being diligently pursued. Last week, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a list of 10 smart cities that has been sent to the Centre. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasised on developing 100 smart cities across the country. Maharashtra is likely to get financial backing from the Centre to develop the 10 smart cities — Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivali, Pune (Pimpri-Chinchwad), Nagpur, Amravati, Auranagabad, Nashik and Solapur. Making a distinction between the smart cities project undertaken by the Centre, Desai said, “Our decision to promote private smart cities is not linked to the ongoing Centre-state smart cities project.” The senior Shiv Sena minister indicated that it would be on the lines of the special economic zones, minus any government concession.
