Now, villages in Pune also to be smart

Making it a first of its kind move in the state, the Pune Zilla Parishad (ZP) has declared 13 of its villages to also be smart villages along with Pune being a smart city. Pune will be the first city to declare its villages also to be a part of smart city initiative.  Gawdewadi (Ambegaon Taluka), Kenjal (Bhor), Galandwadi (Daund), Sangrun (Haveli), Katphal (Baramati), Waksai (Indapur), Tikekarwadi (Junnar), Ambethan (Khed), Waksai (Maval), Bavdhan Budruk (Mulshi), Dhalewadi (Purandar), Vitthalwadi (Shirur) and Velhe Budruk (Velha) are the part of the smart villages initiative. Some of the various parameters for selecting these villages included cleanliness, education, water, supply, sanitation, use of renewable energy, implementation of government schemes, use of public toilets, and solid waste management. Many villages participated to be a part of the smart city while the villages were marked out of 100 points.  Under the scheme, all these 13 villages will initially receive Rs 10 lakh in cash to accelerate development work. Finally, one will be chosen as winner of the Rs 40 lakh cash prize. The smart villages will be felicitated on the occasion of Maharashtra Day on May 1. Member of gram panchayat of these smart villagers will be trained by the officers under this scheme to increase the development work. The main aim of this project is to transform rural areas into economically, socially and physically sustainable spaces which would trigger development in the villages.