'ADB could be equity or debt partner for smart cities'.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has shown interest in partnering with and lending aid to the Government for its 100 smart cities project. ADB has done a feasibility study on the Chennai-Visakhapatnam corridor.

'One of the possible investments could be some cities along the corridor or industrial estate. That is a part of the dialogue yet to happen with the Government. It could be both funding as well as sharing of research and knowledge expertise. If the need is big, ADB could be an equity or a debt partner,' said Bindu N Lohani, Vice-President, Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development, ADB.

He added: 'We are talking at the moment and also trying to understand the Government’s criteria for such cities. We need to see how our views and the Government's views can be put together in a way that matches the thinking and priorities of both parties.'

ADB has executed many urban projects in the past in partnership with State Governments. 'We are quite comfortable as we have experience working with various State Governments; we know the executing agency. The question is how the Government wants to define the smart city and then how we can move ahead,' Lohani said.

HBL