US firms might invest in West Bengal’s four smart cities

Science-City-Kolkata
A photo of Science City in Kolkata

The West Bengal Government might receive investments from US-based companies for developing the proposed four smart cities in the State. In this regard, officials from American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham India) will meet representatives of different urban local bodies and consultants to discuss the plans of smart cities as well as theme townships.

In one of the meetings held recently in New Delhi, a State delegation, along with State Urban Development Secretary Debashis Sen, a discussion took place on the ways in which US companies could partner with the four smart city projects in the State.

The State officials also brought the opportunities into limelight in the ‘six-theme’ townships aiming for ‘smart development’. A suggestion was made to AmCham India if it could get involved as a handhold agency. It is similar to some of the city-based business chambers for the Dumurjala sports city project.

Sen also met the Chairman of the National Housing Bank with a proposal to form a partnership with the government to help make financial and investment plans for the six-theme township projects. Moreover, a discussion was held with the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) regarding the methods to be adopted for evaluating the smart city proposal.