98 cities were earlier selected based on intra-state competition in the first stage of City Challenge Competition.
Based on credibility, feasibility and citizen engagement, Smart City plans will be evaluated by the Urban Development Ministry for selection of first batch of 20 cities after detailed consultation with states and urban local bodies (ULB).
Smart City plans are to be submitted by December 15 to the Ministry by the 98 identified mission cities for evaluation in the second stage of City Challenge Competition which will be assessed for their credibility and doability.
The mission cities are currently engaged in preparation of Smart City plans for evaluation so as to be selected for the first batch of 20 mission cities for financing this year, said a senior Urban Development Ministry official.
98 cities were earlier selected based on intra-state competition in the first stage of City Challenge Competition based on a set of criteria.
Smart City plans will be assessed based on city-level criteria (30 per cent weightage), area based development features (50 per cent) and pan-city solutions (15 per cent).
Based on the suggestions from states and ULBs, weightage for pan-city solutions has been increased from 10 per cent to 15 per cent.
Citizen engagement has been made mandatory for identifying smart city objectives and evolving strategic plan under city-level criteria, deciding on area development features and identification of Pan-city Solutions with a total weightage of 16 per cent.
City-level criteria includes measures taken during the last three years to enhance livability and administrative efficiency of cities, quality of city vision and strategic plan, identification of gaps and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and potential for improvement.
Result orientation of area development and pan-city proposals includes extent of adoption of 24 Smart City features, do-ability of proposals, outcomes, convergence of different schemes for resource mobilization, identification of risks and their management, impact of smart city proposals on governance, spatial impact (enhanced density of living and mixed land use), economic impact (new commercial spaces for economic activity), social impact (improved public spaces enhancing social cohesion) and environmental impact.
Pan-city solutions are mandatory component of Smart City proposals aiming at benefitting entire city through application of Information & Communication Technologies resulting in improvement in governance and public service delivery.
Mission city is required to clearly bring out the measurable impact of these solutions on governance and service delivery besides the timeframe by when the benefits would be felt by the citizens.