The funding for select smart cities will kick in from January 2016, according to the Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development, Madhusudan Prasad. States have been asked to complete the first stage exercises by July 31. “We will announce the 100 smart cities list by August 4,” he added, addressing a press conference held in New Delhi on Saturday.
States will then be given three-four months to prepare proposals on the initiatives they wish to implement with respect to retrofitting, redevelopment, or construction. By January, post-evaluation of the proposals, the list of around 20 cities will be announced and funding will be started.