Urban Development and Transport Minister CP Singh on Monday said that the department was taking suggestions from professionals and denizens to make Ranchi a Smart City.
“The State is also doing well in other Centrally-funded schemes like AMRUT project and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna,” Singh said, while releasing the report card of his departments at a Press conference.
“Ideas of clean drinking water, better sanitation system, housing for all and more will be realised shortly too,” assured Singh.
“We will deliver clean drinking water to every household in the State by 2017. Additionally, the Department rejuvenated the sewerage-drainage project that has been in limbo for the past ten years. Presently, relevant surveys are being conducted and the project will begin by January next year,” he said.
“Solid waste management, which is to be introduced shortly in Ranchi, will be taken to other districts of the State too for cleaner cities.”
“DPRs are being prepared for solid waste management projects in other municipal corporations of the State,” Singh pointed out.
He also emphasised on the department’s efforts to make its services available on an online platform for easier access. “Soon, all our services can be found online. Even now, one can get trade licenses, water connections and more easily an online platform which once used to require time. Complaints have been many but we will sort them out with e-governance,” he stated.
About the department’s future projects, Singh stated, “We have and will be making town halls and convention centres in every district of the State. Additionally, the State housing board will also be responsible for acquiring land.”
“The 55 acres of land to be acquired by the board in Sanga will be used for making residences. We also have more than 1900 houses and acres of land under encroachment. Soon, this will be used for making homes for those who are without their homes,” he added.
As of now, 18 flats and 100 shops in Bariatu and Harmu have been completed. The shops will be put up for auction this month, with 400 applications already submitted in the past two days.
“A plot has been chosen for constructing the much-awaited Transport Nagar near Ranchi. Also, we are considering a 17 acre plot in Bartand of Dhanbad for making an Inter State Bus Terminal,” Singh said.
Several city mission managers have also been appointed in municipal corporations across the State for linking youths with skill development initiatives and later helping them in getting a job, Singh mentioned.
On the issue of street vendors in Ranchi, Singh stated, “We have demarcated space for vendors’ market near Jaipal Singh stadium which will also house facilities like food plaza and banquet halls. A meeting with city’s street vendors will be convened soon to discuss about the proposed market.”
The State will also get 40 new town planners as the proposal for the same has been forwarded to the Chief Minister for his approval.
Talking about the Transport Department’s initiative to lower pollution from vehicles, Singh stated, “Around 200 e-rickshaws are running in Ranchi, which has been helpful in culling pollution from auto-rickshaws in the city. Moreover, we are looking into alternatives like monorail and promoting public transportation.”
To bring heavy vehicle driving under the aegis of skill development, Singh asked interested parties to come forward to open heavy vehicle driving training institutes. Such an institute on 5 acres of land complying with the prescribed guidelines will be run on PPP mode, added Singh.
MoUs have also been signed for six rail projects in the state which are to be completed by March 2017. “Trains are operating on Deoghar-Dumka-Rampurhat, Koderma-Hazaribagh and Ranchi-lohardaga-Barkichapi segments, whereas Barkakana-Ranchi and Barkakana-Tori will begin shortly. Hazaribagh-Barkakana rail line is to be extended and a new rail line between Godda and Hansdiha is to be opened,” said Singh.