Bilaspur has formulated ‘Smart City Vision Statement’ of emerging as a ‘cultural capital’ based on citizen consultations as required under the Mission Guidelines of each of the Mission Cities under Central Government’s ‘Smart City Mission’.
The Smart City Plans for 95 cities received in the Union Ministry of Urban Development have thrown up a variety of vision statements ranging from becoming clean and green to being a multi-functional tribal hub.
A perusal of Smart City Plans of 50 cities revealed that 11 cities aimed at emerging as clean, green and sustainable cities followed by 9 cities seeking to leverage rich cultural heritage legacy for stimulating development, 8 cities stating economic growth and development upfront as the core of their vision and the rest seeking to emerge as tourism hubs, port cities, education and health hubs, industrial and institutional centres etc., taking advantage of unique features and strengths of respective cities.
Promoting economic development, improving quality of life and enabling inclusive urbanisation is mentioned as part of the vision by most of the cities.
In neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, Indore has come out with the vision statement to enter an era of rejuvenation by envigorating city’s rich cultural and economic heritage and innovation in spatially restructured and sustainable urban development, mobility, environment, infrastructure, governance and citizen services for better living.
Sagar in Madhya Pradesh has the vision to revitalise the city as a regional commercial mode creating new business opportunities and vibrant living spaces for safe and connected communities.
Notably, last month, a meeting of High Power Steering Committee (HPSC) formed under the Smart City Mission was held in Chhattisgarh’s new capital-- Naya Raipur.
Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary Vivek Dhand had chaired the meeting in which Raipur City Mayor Pramod Dubey and Bilaspur City Mayor Kishor Rai along with other officials took part.
During the meeting, detailed discussions over various proposals received for transforming Raipur and Bilaspur into smart cities was held. The proposals were then recommended to be moved to the Central Government.
Presentations over Smart City plan for Raipur and Bilaspur Municipal Corporations was also done by the respective Commissioners.
They told the members of Committee that for solving various problems related with both cities, online as well as off line suggestions from the residents of both cities were sought. The suggestions were included in the planning process for the cities.
Area-based development and pan city plan have been prepared for Raipur and Bilaspur smart city project. Solar power generators would be also activated in the plan which would save power consumption through conventional means. The residents of both cities would get metered clean water through modern water treatment plants, which would lower the risk of water borne diseases, the Commissioners informed.
They further provided details on liquid and solid waste management system would keep city pollution-free. The non-motorised transport in city will ensure pollution free environment and would also decrease the risk of accidents in dense traffic/parking areas. For slum dwellers pucca houses would be also constructed.