The proposals that fetched Davangere a place in the list of 20 cities that are to be developed in the first phase of the Smart City project were titled LIFE (Livable, Inclusive, Financially vibrant, Futuristic city) and focused on edutainment activities in the next five years.

The Davangere City Corporation had submitted a Rs 1,307.18-crore proposal after holding discussions with experts, people and consultancies. The proposals included relocating more than 800 puffed rice units — which cause pollution — to the city’s outskirts, scientific disposal of garbage, development of footpath, installation of solar lights, increasing solar-based activities to minimise the use of conventional power, establishing an information centre, building tunnels, underbridges and dedicated bicycle lanes.

It also visioned bringing changes in traffic management, improving intra-city transport, development of parks and water bodies, optical fibre network, development of slums and improving toilet and sanitation services.

The corporation’s commissioner, B H Narayanappa, said that 60 per cent of Davangere’s five lakh plus population was dependent on tap water. Over 30,000 people applied for housing sites. The rice units employ thousands of people and more than 5,000 people eke out a living by selling Davangere delicacies such as Benne Dose, Mirchi and Mandakki.

There are 35 declared slums and 11 undeclared shanties in Davangere. Localities in old Davangere will get priority under the Smart City project, he added.

Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, G M Siddeshwara, who represents Davangere in Parliament, played a crucial role in the selection of Davangere.

District in-charge minister Shamanuru Shivashankarappa also threw his weight behind as the State government will contribute an equal sum under the project.

Earlier, Davangere was selected for Atal Mission Rejuvenation of Urban Transportation (Amrut) and received 50 crore.