BHUBANESWAR: The Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) has asked Odisha Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Department to take a final call on the selection of a consultant for the Smart City mission soon.
The consultant, a Canada-based firm, was shortlisted in a national level bidding held during the Smart City contest in October last year. It will prepare a detailed project report (DPR) on urban transport and communication.
While `2,000 crore has already been mobilised by the Centre for Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL), the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) is yet to give its approval for the consultant which will work on the DPR, sources said.
Apart from urban mobility, the firm would provide a financial outlay of the budget of the entire Smart City Mission for Bhubaneswar.
In a letter issued to the H&UD Department, the DEA has mentioned that since BSCL has already signed an MoU with the firm on the project, the institutional structure and business plan need to be finalised at the earliest.
“Crucial projects which have already been approved by the Centre are pending due to non-approval of the consultant,’’ the letter stated.
Contacted, Vice-Chairman of Bhubaneswar Development Authority Krishan Kumar said the consultant will be soon allotted work orders which are on the process of finalisation. ‘’The tender process has been completed and the contracts will be awarded by end of this month,’’ Kumar added.