3 years on, no progress made so far

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 24

Though the third anniversary of the Smart City Mission would be observed on Monday, a majority of the projects under the mission are hanging fire. Moreover, no project has been completed so far, according to information.

The Smart Cities Mission was launched by the Central government three years ago on June 25, 2015. In January 2016, Ludhiana was included in the first list of 20 cities to be developed as smart cities. Ludhiana Smart City Limited was formed in 2016 and the first Board of Directors met in Ludhiana two years ago.

According to information, even the project of the installation of the rooftop solar panel is yet to be completed. At present, three works, including the installation of rooftop solar panels, installation of way finding and signages (digital and analogue) and LED street lights, are under execution, said one of the directors of Ludhiana Smart City Limited.

The tenders for 24x7 water supply scheme, sewerage and storm water system project under ABD area, construction of toilets, retrofitting of Sarabha Nagar market and a project to make Malhar Road as smart road have been floated.

Besides, tenders for projects, including the construction of railway overbridge and railway underbridge at the Pakhowal Road railway crossings, integrated command and control centre, smart road (phase 2) Ghumar Mandi and National Road, underground parking at NH-95, dedicated cycle track in selected Industrial area, carcass utilisation plant for Ludhiana, construction and demolition waste management in Ludhiana City and installation of smart bins and smart collection vehicles, are yet to be floated. The detailed project reports for these works are under preparation, according to information.

The detailed project report (DPR) for the projects including smart road phase 2- Rotary Club Road, multi-level car parking at Feroze Gandhi Market, improvement of 12 junctions in the city and five foot overbridges is also being prepared, said an official.

Third anniversary to be celebrated today

Ludhiana Smart City Limited (LSCL) in association with the Indian Institute of Architects Punjab Chapter is going to organise an event to mark the third anniversary on Monday. One of the directors of LSCL-cum-chairman of IIA Punjab Chapter Sanjay Goel said: “Being ex-officio, all board of directors had changed more than once in the past two years due to the change of the state government as well as local Mayor. The new government was formed in the state. Out of proposed 100, Ludhiana is among the top 30 cities to be developed as a smart city in India,” Goel said.

“Three projects are under execution, while tenders for three more projects have been floated. Tenders for 12-15 projects would be invited in the coming months as the detailed project reports are being prepared,” said Goel, who recently attended the meeting of the Board of Directors in Chandigarh.

A few tenders floated, but projects yet to see the light of day

• At present, three works including the installation of rooftop solar panels, installation of way finding, signage (digital and analogue) and LED street lights are under execution
• The tenders for 24x7 water supply scheme, sewerage and storm water system project under ABD area, construction of toilets, retrofitting of Sarabha Nagar market and a project to make Malhar Road as smart road have been floated
• Tenders for projects including the construction of railway overbridge and railway underbridge at Pakhowal Road railway crossings, integrated command and control centre, smart road (phase 2) Ghumar Mandi and National Road, underground parking at NH-95, dedicated cycle track in selected Industrial area, carcass utilisation plant for Ludhiana, construction and demolition of waste management in Ludhiana City and installation of smart bins and smart collection vehicles are yet to be floated. The detailed project reports for these works are under preparation
• The detailed project report (DPR) for the projects including smart road phase 2- Rotary Club Road, multi-level car parking at Feroze Gandhi Market, improvement of 12 junctions in the city and five foot overbridges is also being prepared