The Smart City project being implemented in Puducherry with the French government aims at transforming the city into a global tourism destination by leveraging its heritage, cultural, spiritual and educational advantages, Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said here on Monday.

Speaking after inaugurating a one-day conference on ‘Implementation of Puducherry Smart City Project’ organised by Puducherry Smart City Development Ltd, which is executing it, he said France had been consistently supporting the Union Territory in various developmental projects.

Pact with France

He said France-based Development Agency (Agence Francais pour Development) had signed an agreement with the Puducherry government in January 2016 to provide technical support in sustainable urban development through this project.

At the conference, an agreement was signed between Puducherry government and French Development Agency to augment drinking water supply at an outlay of ₹534 crore.

While the Agency would provide ₹455 crore as loan, the balance of ₹79 crore will be provided by the Puducherry government to ensure water supply in all the four regions.

Chief Secretary Manoja Parida and Nicolas Fornage, Director of the French Development Agency, signed the agreement.

The Chief Minister said that Puducherry (a former French colony), had been described as ‘a window on French culture’ by Jawharlal Nehru.

He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for including Puducherry as one of the cities under the Smart City Mission.

Chief Secretary Manoj Parida and Chief Executive Officer of the Smart City Project Ltd P Jawahar were among those who spoke.

French Consul General in Puducherry Catherine Suard, Minister Counsellor and Head of the Regional Economic Department for South Asia (French Embassy) Jean Marc Fenet and Ministers of Puducherry were among those present.

An MoU for beach restoration project was inked between PSCDL and National Institute of Ocean Technology on the occasion.

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