The US will provide assistance for development of smart cities in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh, an official statement on Sunday said.
The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) signed three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on cooperation for development of smart cities with the respective state governments in the presence of urban development minister M Venkaiah Naidu.
Allahabad, Ajmer and Visakhapatnam would be developed as ‘smart cities’, the statement noted.
The USTDA will contribute funding for necessary feasibility studies and pilots, study tours, workshops, trainings and other projects and it will invite a ‘Smart Solutions for Smart Cities Reverse Trade Mission’ delegation to the US along with delegates from the their states. The USTDA would also fund advisory services to support the development of smart cities.
The three state governments will provide resources for support, coordination and facilitation of the development of smart cities, including technical information and data related to smart cities planning, staff, logistical and travel support etc. As per the official statement, Leocardia I Zak, Director, USTDA, signed the respective MoUs with Alok Ranjan, chief secretary, Uttar Pradesh, CS Ranjan, chief secretary, Rajasthan and IVR Krishna Rao, chief secretary, Andhra Pradesh.
The USTDA will collaborate with other US government agencies, like the Department of Commerce, the US Export Import Bank and other trade and economic agencies, to promote US-India infrastructure development cooperation. It will enable US industry organisations to mobilise private sector expertise and resources to address important aviation and energy related infrastructure.
