The State government has decided to conduct an audit of the smart city projects, implemented in 11 cities across the State.
The Central government had launched Smart Cities Mission in June 2015. Hundred cities were selected for infrastructural upgradation and introduction of smart applications. The objective of the Smart Cities Mission was to create world-class cities as per the aspirations and needs of the citizens.
Cities, including Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, had their own needs and projects were announced. The Smart City projects were classified into area-based development (ABD) projects and pan city projects covering larger parts of the cities. Under ABD, the projects are in the nature of city improvement (retrofitting), city renewal (redevelopment) and city extension (greenfield development).
Each city had been allocated ₹1,000 crore, shared equally by the Centre and State governments, to carry out these projects. Besides, the corporations were also allowed to raise their own funds. These projects were expected to be completed within five years from the time cities were chosen. Since most of these cities have completed five years, the State government has decided to conduct an audit of these smart cities.
For this purpose, the government intends to empanel audit firms for undertaking the audit of Smart City Projects across Tamil Nadu. The audit will cover the processes followed in the implementation of such projects, the receipts and distribution of payments for such projects. The audit will also conduct review of design and operating effectiveness of internal controls in the implementation of the Smart City Scheme, said sources in the Finance Department.
A ‘botched’ implementation
After heavy flooding in core areas of Chennai during last year’s north east monsoon, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had alleged botched implementation of the Smart City project during the erstwhile AIADMK government and said a Commission of Inquiry would be constituted and action would be taken against contractors, who implemented the project.
Subsequently in February, the State government constituted a one-man committee comprising P.W.C. Davidar, a retired IAS officer, to inquire into the implementation of the Smart Cities Mission across the State and submit a report in three months.
