South Delhi proposed as site of 240-acre, $2.3bn smart city 
The ministry of urban development is "at an advanced stage of consideration" over an INR150bn ($2.3bn) proposal to develop a smart city on 240 acres of vacant land at Ghitorni district in south Delhi, according to reports. The site, which is owned by the central public works department (CPWD) has been vacant since 1971, would be jointly developed by the CPWD and state-run construction firm National Buildings Construction Corporation on a self-financing basis. It would include around 7,000 houses, as well as "urban infrastructure, green sustainable technology and smart solutions".
NEW DELHI: The Centre plans to develop 240 acres of land at Ghitorni district in south Delhi with smart city features worth over Rs 15,000 crore.A proposal in this regard is at an advance stage of consideration at the Ministry of Urban Development (UD), sources said.The 240 acres of land belonging to Central Public Works Department (CPWD), which functions under the UD ministry, has been lying vacant at Ghitorni since 1971.According to sources, the project, estimated to cost over Rs 15,000 crore, is proposed to be jointly developed by CPWD and state-run construction firm NBCC on self-financing basis with no cost to the government.As part of the project, the CPWD will construct about 6,500 residential units for government employees, besides developing office space for public sector firms.On the other hand, NBCC would construct about 500 houses and develop substantial office and commercial space for sale to mobilise resources for financing the project.The proposed 'mini city' would be equipped with urban infrastructure, green sustainable technology and smart solutions as per the Smart City norms, sources said.It will also have water and waste management with dual piping system, rain water harvesting system, solar energy and smart metering, security/surveillance system, Wi-fi, among others.The sources added the project would be completed in five years after necessary approvals.Ghitorni is located in southern Delhi near Gurgaon border.Urban Development Secretary Rajiv Gauba today held discussions with senior officials of CPWD and NBCC regarding the project.