Govt to seek France help to expedite smart cities project

To expedite the smart cities project, the Centre is seeking help from France mostly in the areas of multi-modal transport and logistics, urban planning and design.

With the French President scheduled to visit India in December this year, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is gearing up for signing MOU with the French government on various projects including the smart cities project.

The government may also announce the France government's participation in flagship programme, said an official of Ministry of Urban Affairs.

The officials have already discussed the issue with their counterpart in the French government in a recent Indo-French working group meeting.

India may also seek help from the French government on clean water technology, recycling of water and waste management.

With the smart cities project moving at a snail pace, the centre is working with the states to put the scheme on the fast track.

Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri asked his officials to implement the scheme in mission mode. He also directed them to ensure early completion of 20 smart cities, which was announced in the first slot.