Consider CBD for Smart City, George tells BBMP chief

Having missed the Smart City tag for Bengaluru last time, the government and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) are trying to ensure they don’t lose the opportunity this time.

As the deadline to submit the proposal for the Smart City is March 31, Bengaluru Development and Town Planning Minister K J George on Tuesday held a meeting with Mayor G Padmavathi and BBMP Commissioner N Manjunatha Prasad to identify the place to be developed as a Smart City. He advised Prasad to consider the central business district area on priority while making recommendations to the Centre. He also suggested to the BBMP to speed up collection of property tax and table the audit reports on time.

George later told reporters that the Centre will grant Rs 500 crore for five years and a matching grant has to be contributed by the state government.

He added that the state government has to spend Rs 7,500 crore for the Smart City tag.
“Because people want Bengaluru to get the special status, the government is also making serious efforts,” said George.