Surat: The Smart City conference will begin in Surat from Monday in the presence of the representatives of 100 Smart Cities across the country.

It will be the first Smart City conference to be organised outside New Delhi. The conference will start in the presence of CM Bhupendra Patel, officials, CEOs of 100 smart cities, senior officers of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and other departments. The central government has allotted a grant of Rs 13 thousand crore to 6 cities of the state including Surat under the Smart City Mission, informed MoS Urban Development and Urban Housing Vinodbhai Moradiya. The registration of 700 delegates is done so far for the conference.

SMC commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani informed that 51 awards will be distributed to the top smart-cities on the first day of the conference. The 51 awards will include city award, innovative award, and project award. SMC has booked rooms of four stars and five stars hotels of the city for three days for the delegates. Over 150 vehicles are also booked for the delegates.

SMC Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani informed that technical sessions are organised in five different pavilions on 19th April. The national and international speakers will virtually join the discussion. An open house discussion will be done on five themes- digital governance, reimagining public spaces and place making, procure innovation, climate smart cities, and smart finance.