Latest news with #ShaliniAgarwal
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
States repurpose Smart City SPVs post-mission
New Delhi: After the Centre concluded its 10-year-old Smart Cities Mission in March, state governments are working to maintain the relevance of the special purpose vehicles (SPVs) that were established for the flagship programme. With no funding from the Centre, the SPVs are now functioning as consultancy platforms for municipal corporations in the states and implementing big-ticket urban development projects . However, the biggest task before the state governments is to make the SPVs self-sustainable in the long run. "With the Smart City Mission wrapped up, our top priority is to make SPV s" Surat's municipal commissioner, Shalini Agarwal, told ET. "The projects being implemented by the SPV were transferred to the different departments and all had an in-built operation and maintenance (O&M) clause in tender." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Sàn cao su chất lượng sắp được tặng ở Minh Ngoc Gạch | Quảng cáo tìm kiếm Tìm Ngay Surat was one of the first smart cities to complete all projects under the mission. However, the municipal corporation decided against diluting the SPV. "The integrated command and control centre (ICCC), which is the nerve centre of Surat's urban governance, is being run by the SPV," said Agarwal, adding that the penalties the state imposes-such as those for stray cattle, traffic challans, throwing garbage on the road-all go to the SPV. Live Events "Since capacity and expertise has been built over the years in the SPV, it is now providing consultancy services to other corporations. The consultancy fee collected also goes towards sustaining SPV operations," she said. The Agartala Smart City SPV is now implementing large infrastructure projects and providing consultancy services to keep itself afloat. "Our SPV is self-sustaining, as for the last two years we have been implementing big infrastructure projects," said SK Yadav, CEO of Agartala Smart City. "We levy a 3% consultancy charge for all projects and this sustains our SPV." Yadav said because of the Smart City Mission, the SPV has become proficient in handling big projects. "SPV has a number of consultants in its fold who provide multi-disciplinary expertise. We have retained our staff," said Yadav. The Agartala SPV is implementing ADB- and AFD-funded projects. Chennai and Agra Smart Cities are also following a similar pattern. Senior officials told ET that the SPVs were always lean in terms of administrative structure and have maintained this.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
SMC to engage multiple consultants for drainage projects
Surat: In a bid to ensure more transparency and expedite the execution of drainage network development projects, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has decided to involve multiple consultants , shifting from the current practice of relying on a single firm for city-wide planning and implementation. Since the city's limits expanded in 2020 to cover 462 sq km, the need for an efficient drainage network has grown alongside its rapidly increasing population. Until now, only one consultancy—Green Design and Engineering Services Pvt Ltd—had been tasked with planning, designing, and preparing the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for both stormwater and sewage drainage systems. The firm was awarded a five-year contract in 2023 to develop a comprehensive drainage master plan. However, considering the large-scale infrastructure, municipal commissioner Shalini Agarwal proposed to the Standing Committee that multiple consultants be engaged to speed up the project timeline. The committee approved the proposal on Thursday for a tender-based appointment of additional agencies. "Appointing more than one consultant will allow for faster execution of key infrastructure projects. With the city expanding and its population growing, we need multiple professional agencies to manage the workload effectively," said Rajan Patel, Chairman of the Standing Committee. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thousands Are Saving Money Using This Wall Plug elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Click Here Undo The consultants will be engaged in various segments of the drainage infrastructure, including the development of sewage networks, pumping stations, sewage treatment plants, disposal lines, and stormwater drainage systems . The SMC's drainage department noted in its report that involving more consultants will foster healthy competition and result in more competitive pricing. Sources in the SMC said that projects worth over Rs 5,000 crore are currently under execution. Notably, the existing consultancy firm drew criticism over the controversial Asarma Tertiary Treatment Plant (TTP) project, where the cost and scale of the work were reportedly escalated without approvals from senior officials.
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Air strike drills to be held in Surat, South Gujarat
Surat: To gauge preparedness for an air strike amid the ongoing tense situation between India and Pakistan, a drill will be held in the city and at all major population centres in South Gujarat on Wednesday. During the drill, citizens have been directed to turn off all lights between 7.30pm and instructions from the Union home ministry, a civil defence drill , Operation Abhyas , has been planned. A meeting of top govt officials in the city was held on Tuesday to discuss the modalities. The drill will be held between 4pm and 8pm. A siren will sound at 4pm, after which a search and rescue drill will be held at five spots. The siren will be played from 51 locations by the Surat Municipal Corporation and by industrial units. Between 7.30pm and 8pm, a blackout will take place during which citizens are supposed to turn off their lights."The objective of the drill is to ensure that both the administration and citizens are prepared for a quick response during emergencies to ensure public safety. The drill simulates a war-like situation to keep citizens safe and alert," said Dr Saurabh Pardhi, district drill will involve simulated responses to potential air strikes, fire, rescue operations, transporting the injured to hospitals and relocating stranded individuals to safe areas. Emergency services will remain operational."It will be a comprehensive drill in which people will participate by turning off lights during the specified time. Fire, police, hospital and other agencies' preparedness will be practised. Streetlights and lights of hoardings will also be turned off," said Shalini Agarwal, the Surat municipal commissioner."People should only turn off their lights and not the power to buildings or their facilities. People should not panic and follow the instructions issued by the govt from time to time," said city police commissioner, Anupam Singh Gahlaut.
