Panaji Smart City is set to receive a significant boost with a Rs 5 crore grant under the central government’s City Investments to Innovate, Integrate, and Sustain 2.0 (CITIIS 2.0) programme. This grant is part of a nationwide initiative aimed at advancing sustainable urban development, and it will play a pivotal role in addressing climate action within the city.
The grant will fund a multi-component plan that focuses on climate action and sustainable urban planning. The first component involves the establishment of a state climate centre for cities (S-C3), designed to centralize and streamline climate-related strategies for Panaji. This center will serve as a hub for developing and implementing long-term solutions to environmental challenges. The second component is the creation of climate data observatories at both the state and city levels. These observatories will comprehensively monitor and analyze environmental data, providing crucial insights for effective decision-making. The third aspect of the plan emphasizes the importance of data-driven planning, ensuring that city development is both sustainable and informed by accurate, real-time data. Additionally, the grant will support capacity building for government officials working in critical areas such as waste management, water and sanitation, urban forestry, mobility, and finance. By equipping officials with the skills and knowledge needed to tackle climate change and urban development challenges, Panaji will be better prepared to manage its growth in a sustainable manner.
Sanjit Rodrigues, Managing Director of Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL), expressed confidence that the Rs 5 crore grant will accelerate the city’s transformation into a smarter, more sustainable urban hub. “Our goal is to integrate cutting-edge technologies that enhance both the quality of life and the environmental footprint of our city,” he said. ith this grant, Panaji is poised to make significant strides in climate action and urban sustainability, setting an example for other cities across India to follow. The project is expected to make the city more resilient to environmental challenges while improving the quality of life for its residents.
