Development of an administrative and a commercial complex at Swedeshi
Mill, a multi-level parking lot at Old Jail, modernisation of new bus
stand, setting up of a desalination plant, remodelling of underground
sewerage system, improvement of streetscapes and extension of the beach
promenade are the highlights of the Rs. 2,000-crore project proposal
prepared by the Local Administration Department for bidding to get
included in the Centre’s Smart City programme.

The Local
Administration Department, which is in the final stages of preparing the
report with assistance form consultant, JLL India and French
Development Agency, would submit the report to the Ministry of Urban
Affairs in the next two weeks to participate in the third round of Smart
City selection process in April.

As part of the preparations, the
LAD held a final consultative meeting, which was attended by Chief
Minister V. Narayanasamy, top officials and representatives of 15 French
companies, here on Thursday.

According to a note circulated at
the meeting, 62 projects covering departments such as Electricity,
Public Works, Tourism, Transport, Traffic, LAD, and Puducherry Urban
Development Authority were considered for funding under the Smart City
project.

The re-worked project proposal concentrates on
retrofitting format to take up development works in several areas.
Tourism being the main attraction, the project managers had given thrust
to projects such as restoration of government-owned heritage building,
improvement of historic temples, cultural and wellness centre,
improvement of Botanical Garden, beach nourishment, sea walk,
retrofitment of the Old Pier and development of a hotel at Old
Distillery.

The other key projects envisaged under the Smart City
project included construction of an administrative complex on a built-up
area of 2.5 lakh square feet at Swedeshi Mill, a commercial complex on 5
lakh square feet on the mill premises, development of Mairie building,
setting up of an advanced integrated system to operate and manage
multiple city service operations, enhancing power distribution system
and waste to energy project at Kuruvanpet.

Participating
in the meeting, Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy said he was hopeful of
the UT finding a place in the Smart Cities list in the upcoming bidding
process.

Speaking on the Consul-General of
France to Puducherry and Chennai, Philippe Janvier-Kamiyama said the
French government would partner with the Union Territory in the project
by providing financial and technical expertise.

Minister for
Public Works A. Namassivayam, Chief Secretary Manoj Parida, LAD
Secretary P. Jawahar and Minister Counsellor and Head of the Regional
Economic Department for South Asia, Embassy of France, Jean-Marc Fenet,
attended the meeting.