New Delhi, Sep 21: Private players, developers and industry body hailed the government's announcement of 27 more cities for the development of smart cities, adding that the move would provide business opportunities for private players.

"The inclusion of cities like Agra, Amritsar, Ujjain, Varanasi, Tirupati and Vellore etc will boost the tourism sector as well as bringing up these cities on global tourism map," NAREDCO President Parveen Jain said.

"Meant to change the life style of urban India, smart cities will ensure uninterrupted power and water supply, sewerage and solid waste disposal, internet connectivity, e-governance along with good quality infrastructure. It will ensure that basic amenities are available to every house hold irrespective of area, cost or community," Jain said.

National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) said there is immense opportunities for the real estate industry in transforming these selected cities.

According to Arindam Guha, Senior Director, Deloitte in India, said: "The Smart City Challenge continues to generate significant enthusiasm throughout the country. With the addition of these 27 cities, a total of 60 cities are now eligible for funding under the programme."

The high interest and participation levels in the Smart City plan development phase now needs to be sustained through quick implementation on the ground, he added.

Shrinivas Kowligi, Partner - Smart Cities and Urban Transformation, EY India, said: "With now 60 cities across India eligible for funding support from government of India, the biggest challenge is going to be talent and expertise – both within and outside the government."

The competencies needed for addressing the myriad challenges Indian cities face, and to handhold them in their journey to get smart, requires diverse technical skills, project development and management expertise.

"Ministry of Urban Development now needs to drive transformational initiatives to scale up human resource capacity in the country to address this challenge," Kowligi said

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi along with holy cities of Amritsar and Ajmer has made it to the list of 27 smart cities announced yesterday.

Under the Smart City Mission, the government aims to have 100 smart cities by 2022. Sixty have been chosen so far, including 20 in January and 13 in May this year.