The Smart City concept is catching up with the Government of India already releasing a draft policy document on its plan of developing 100 smart cities in the country.
The Odisha Government is interested to make Bhubaneswar a Smart City and has planned certain steps in this regard. Attending a conclave on Smart City held here on Thursday, Industries Secretary Vishal Dev said, “In a Smart City, resources need to be utilised in a sustainable manner with optimal utilisation.” It could ensure smart delivery of services, he said and advocated for greater autonomy for the local bodies for better planning and management. Forest and Environment Principal Secretary RK Sharma said a city cannot be smart without becoming environmentally sustainable. “Wetland and drainage are major issues that need to be addressed in Bhubaneswar. While Bhubaneswar generates 4,050 tonnes of solid waste per day, the waste management system is yet to take place properly in the city. So, we have to ensure all facilities for operation of a Smart city,” said Sharma.
Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner and Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) Vice-Chairman Krishan Kumar said smart urban growth has evolved from the concept of new urbanism. He highlighted seven issues that need to be resolved for materialising Smart City concept. The issues are governance, urban planning, utilities, shelter, transport, electricity and heritage, culture and environment, he said. He underlined the importance of affordable housing in the city. Close to 75 per cent of Bhubaneswar residents cannot afford a house. About 42 per cent of the city’s population lives in slums. There is a need for reserving 25 per cent of the land for economically weaker sections for affordable housing, he said.
The price of affordable houses should be less than Rs5 lakh, he said and also stressed on having a reliable and affordable public transport system. Housing & Urban Development Special Secretary Sisir Kumar Ratho argued that a sound urban governance system is the foundation of a Smart City. “Unless you have a strong urban system, you can’t achieve the Smart City concept. Besides, political support and private partnership are required for reforms to be undertaken to achieve the target,” he said. The urban local bodies and municipal corporations, Ratho added, should have an integrated approach towards dealing with the solid waste management, water supply and drainage systems.
He pointed out that Bhubaneswar would soon have its own Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) and the Government is looking to starting a 13-km pilot project soon. The Government is also considering a Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS), he informed. In order to implement the Smart City concept, Industry Director, Public Services, SAP India, Subrata Das said, “We have to look at the social and infrastructure elements besides a simpler implementation of information technology systems to create a Smart City.”