Former MP Warns Against Dissipation of Expertise in Puducherry Smart City Mission
Former Member of Parliament (MP) and President of the Puducherry Maanila Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, M. Ramadass, has expressed concern that the winding up of the Smart City Mission in Puducherry could result in the loss of valuable institutional capacity.
- The Puducherry Smart City Development Limited (PSCDL) has successfully executed around ₹ 586 crore worth of projects since the launch of the Smart City Mission.
- PSCDL has developed significant expertise in project planning, preparation of detailed project reports, tendering, contract management, financial management, monitoring, evaluation, and coordination among multiple government agencies.
- Ramadass warns that it would be unfortunate if the expertise accumulated through PSCDL is allowed to dissipate.
Ramadass recommends that the Government of Puducherry should establish a permanent Project Development and Management Agency or a specialised Project Management Unit under the appropriate department.
This move would align with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs' advice to repurpose Smart City agencies for other developmental functions.
- The governments of Odisha and Madhya Pradesh have already transformed their Smart City agencies into consultancies.
- A permanent agency or unit can provide professional support to various departments in project formulation, mobilising funds from the Central Government and international funding agencies, monitoring project implementation, and evaluating outcomes.
M. Ramadass' Statement: "The conclusion of the Smart City Mission should not result in the loss of the valuable institutional capacity that has been built through the setting up of PSCDL. It would be unfortunate if the expertise accumulated through PSCDL is allowed to dissipate."