Gurgaon will be developed as a smart city, despite not making it to the Centre’s shortlist of 98 aspirants under the ‘smart cities mission’, Haryana Chief Minster Manohar Lal Khattar said on Friday.

Haryana, which was allotted two cities by the Centre, had nominated Faridabad and Karnal on the basis of the parameters for selection under the ‘smart cities challenge’.

The Ministry of Urban Development had last month announced the list of 98 smart city aspirants which will compete for the second round of the challenge.

“We could nominate only two cities. But I feel if Gurgaon isn’t developed as a smart city, it will not be a good gesture. The last 15 days, I have been working on how Gurgaon can be developed as a smart city without seeking funds from the Centre,” Khattar said.

He was speaking at the 41st Skoch Summit here.

While the State will spend ₹500 crore in the next 5 years to develop Gurgaon as a smart city, Haryana would seek technical support and knowledge from the Ministry of Urban Development, Khattar said.

However, a senior official from the Ministry said that it is highly unlikely a city which has not made it to the Centre’s shortlist would get the ‘smart city stamp’. “There may be a possibility that if chosen cities don’t perform well, they may be withdrawn from the list and new cities may be added, but, that will take time,” the official added.

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