City poised to leap towards a developed Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar could benefit from the union Budget’s emphasis on integrated urban development. Significant allocations for city development may see the city classified under various categories. Already a Smart City with around Rs 1,000 crore in central grants, it now has potential to join the list of Tier-2 cities.

According to the 2011 census, the city’s population is around 1.4 million. Tier-2 cities, with populations between 1 and 4 million, are the next stage of urban development after metro cities, offering moderate living costs, good infrastructure, employment opportunities, and improved lifestyles.

Key Features of Tier-2 Cities:

• Population: 1–4 million

• Development: Rapid infrastructure growth including roads, IT parks, and airports

• Cost of Living: Lower rent and daily expenses than Tier-1 cities

• Business Opportunities: Attractive for startups and local businesses

Importance: Tier-2 cities help reduce metro congestion and pollution, making them appealing for real estate and business expansion.

Classification Criteria: Population size, infrastructure development, quality healthcare and education, economic growth, per capita income, and investment potential.

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Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar as a Tier-2 City:

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar falls under the Tier-2 category. This allows the city to leverage central government allocations and schemes meant for Tier-2 cities.

— G. Shreekanth, Municipal Administrator

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Budget allocations positive but evaluation needed

Development of Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities with populations around 500,000 is essential. While the budget allocations are good, it is necessary to assess whether the expected results have been achieved through JNNURM, Smart City, and AMRUT schemes in terms of expenditure and outcomes.

— Mukund Kulkarni, Entrepreneur