UT revises Smart proposal

Tribune News Service 

Chandigarh, April 4

New opportunities for youth to innovate, better health and safety of citizens, pedestrian-friendly roads, non-motorised transportation and easy access to public transport are among other things the Administration has incorporated in the revised Smart City proposal, which was put in the public domain today.

Anurag Agarwal, Home Secretary-cum-State Mission Director, Smart City, said residents were welcome to give their suggestions on the proposal, which was available on mygov.in portal. 

Agarwal said it has been proposed to develop the city as a vibrant regional centre that built upon its strong social, intellectual and cultural heritage. The focus will be on people-intensive activities in the fields of arts, culture, sports and innovation by providing necessary infrastructure.

After losing the race for the top 20 smart cities in the country, Chandigarh will now be competing with 23 other cities to become eligible for funding on accelerated basis in 2016-17. 

Agarwal said Chandigarh would emerge as a healthy and sustainable city where health and safety of the citizens would be given paramount importance.

The strategic blueprint of Chandigarh is to have a more healthier and sustainable growth while addressing these issues by creating more walkable and bike-friendly city where people have choice of non-motorised transport.

Under the plan, vehicle-free zones will be introduced in the internal areas of Sector 17. The plan also proposes to develop the Press Building in Sector 18 as an incubation centre for start-ups.

Smart metering of power and water and introducing bicycle trail in the Leisure Valley have also been proposed. Pedestrianisation of Jan Marg on weekends with active functions like art fairs, food trucks, yoga and active sports, streets shows, plays and music concerts bringing people on the streets and taking cars off the street, something similar to “Rahagiri, will also be introduced. Two convention centres have also been proposed. 

The Chandigarh Smart City project will be implemented by a special purpose vehicle (SPV). It will be a joint venture of the UT Administration and the Municipal Corporation.

It is estimated that the total cost of the Smart City projects will be Rs 6,200 crore (Rs 250 crore for the pan city solutions and Rs 5,950 crore for area-based development).