For City page: Pandemic puts brakes on Karnal Smart City Project

OR Projects delayed, Karnal not ‘smart’ yet

BOX: FACING THE HEAT

*a multi-storey at the KMC old office site, with minus two basement parking facility along with commercial complex

*redevelopment of the old city bus stand was to be developed in a unique way having the facilities of a plaza, elevated local bus stand, digital library, etc

*old vegetable market was to be re-developed after having two basement parking of more than 200 vehicle capacity at a cost of Rs22 crore

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, June 15

The Karnal Smart City Project is facing the heat of the Covid pandemic as the state government has halted its four major projects till further orders. The projects in limbo include the development project of the Mughal Canal phase-II and III worth Rs265 crore, redevelopment of the old vegetable market worth Rs26.45 crore, creation of commercial space at the old office of the Karnal Municipal Corporation (KMC) worth Rs15 crore and city bus terminus under the redevelopment of old bus stand project worth Rs23.48 crore.

As per the sources associated with the Smart City Project, applying brakes on these projects will further delay the Karnal Smart City project as, apart from them, around 25 other projects could not be commenced. Karnal was included in the list of smart cities on June 23, 2017. In all 57 projects worth Rs1,171.83 crore, including 40 projects worth Rs1,022.08 crore under the area-based development (ABD) for smart amenities were to be completed in the next five years and 17 projects worth Rs149.75 crore were undertaken by the PAN City Solutions.

Confirming the development, Karnal Smart City Limited (KSCL) CEO-cum-Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav said the projects had been halted till further order by the state government. “Our focus is on speedy completion of other major projects,” said the CEO.

Under the project, the Mughal Canal phase-II and III was to be developed in unique way having podium floor for commercial use and landscaping. Besides, there was a plan to construct a Mahabharata Karna heritage corridor for its beautification. Under the redevelopment plan of the old vegetable market there was a provision of making two basement parking lots, public realms, including recreational area, urban plaza, vending area, toilets, sports facilities and others.

At the site of KMC old building, there was a plan to develop the basement parking area along with a commercial space, while under the city bus terminus project, there was a plan of developing the bus terminus, e-rickshaw and auto stand, digital literacy centre and skill development centre, digital library, plaza –vendor zone, street plaza, food plaza, temple plaza and public seating.