Khattar’s Karnal tops list of smart cities

Geetanjali Gayatri

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 22

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s hometown, Karnal, tops the cities shortlisted by the screening committee for the ‘smart city’ tag at a meeting held here today.

Sources said Faridabad has been placed second while Gurgaon, Rohtak and Hisar have bagged the third spot. The Department of Urban Local Bodies had sought recommendations for smart city contenders from all municipal bodies by July 17.

These recommendations of the committee will be sent to Khattar for approval. While Khattar represents Karnal in the Haryana Assembly, Union Minister Krishan Pal Gurjar represents Faridabad Parliamentary segment.

Of the five shortlisted cities, these two are likely to be “picked” for the smart city project, even though Gurgaon was considered the front-runner initially.

While Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu was keen on the inclusion of Hisar, Health Minister Anil Vij has been pushing for Ambala’s inclusion.

Though Hisar managed to make it to the third spot, sources said Ambala did not fit the bill as it did not fulfil the set parameters.