Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has revealed 18 cities set to receive ₹1,496 crore under the CITIIS 2.0 challenge, aimed at advancing circular solid waste management. Over the next four years, cities such as Jaipur, Rajkot, and Thiruvananthapuram will implement projects promoting a circular economy for waste reuse and recycling. Puri highlighted that the urban interventions initiated will serve as ‘lighthouse initiatives’ for the circular economy in India. Circular economy principles in waste management, as embedded in CITIIS 2.0, can significantly impact India’s COP28 commitments, fostering sustainable urban development and resource efficiency.
Swati Singh Sambyal, an international circular economy expert, emphasized the role of CITIIS 2.0 in contributing to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening climate governance mechanisms at local, state, and national levels. The ongoing efforts in 18 Smart Cities, focusing on integrated waste management and circular interventions, aim to create replicable models.
Launched in November 2023, CITIIS 2.0 is funded by multilateral agencies through loans and grants. All 100 cities under the Smart Cities Mission were eligible, with evaluation based on sustainable development, innovation, integration, participatory approach, partnership, and relevance.
In a bid for regional equity, the ministry pledged to select at least one city from each of the country’s six zones. Funding, primarily sourced from loans provided by the AFD (French Development Agency) and KfW German Development Bank, amounts to ₹1,760 crore. Selected cities will receive between ₹20 crore and ₹135 crore, with the loan repayable by the state and union governments.
CITIIS 2.0 aligns with India’s commitment to circular economy principles, fostering environmentally responsible waste management practices. The initiative addresses urban challenges and aligns with global sustainability goals, reinforcing India’s role in combating climate change through innovative and replicable models for circular waste management.
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