Local architects on advisory board soon: Mayor

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 19

A symposium on ‘Smart City’ project was organised by the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA), Chandigarh Punjab Chapter and Ludhiana Centre.

More than 300 architects, engineers, interior designers, town planners, developers, students and citizens attended the symposium. Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria was the chief guest on the occasion.

The mayor explained in detail the past, present and future of Ludhiana with respect to the ‘Smart City’ status. He shared his outcome of meetings with the Central Government in the last few months.

He also announced that local architects would be on the Advisory committee of the Municipal Corporation soon.

Vijay Garg, member council of Architecture and past National Joint Secretary of IIA, spoke on financial mode of setting-up smart cities as the Government of India was funding only Rs 500 crore of Rs 45,000 crore budget for setting of one Smart City. This project requires Private Public Participation (PPP) mode in abig way so that dream ‘Smart City’ can be realized, he added.

“Every city has a different style of living culture, area, population and heritage. To fulfill aspirations of local citizens the mindset of the people has to change. Ludhiana has the potential to do this.The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation has animportant role to play to make good presentation to the government so that the city comes in the listof first 20 smart cities,” Garg added.

Surinder Bhaga, nominated counselor from Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, explained how he was assisting Chandigarh Corporation as architect counselor to make the city further smart. Mahesh Paliwal from New Delhi in his detailed presentation elaborated on the role of landscape in smart cities.

The Symposium was attended by architects from New Delhi, Haryana, Jammu, Himachal, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Patiala, Amritsar and Bhatinda.