Ludhiana lone city from region on first smart list

Ludhiana is the only city from the region that has made it to the first list of 20 cities to be developed in 2016 under the smart city project.

By March 31, the municipal corporation (MC) will get Rs 200 crore from the central and state governments (50:50 share). A total of Rs 1,000 crore is expected to be received by the MC in the next four financial years, to be contributed equally by both governments.

In the initial phase, the areas of Ghumar Mandi, Sarabha Nagar market and Ferozepur road, falling within the MC limits, are proposed to be developed under the retrofitting model.

This model envisages features such as assured electricity supply with at least 10% of the smart city’s energy requirement coming from solar sources; adequate water supply, including waste water recycling and storm water reuse; solid waste management; rainwater harvesting system; and smart metering.

Other proposals include robust IT (information technology) connectivity and digitisation; pedestrian-friendly pathways; encouragement to non-motorised transport (such as cycles); intelligent traffic management; vehicle-free zones; smart parking; energy-efficient street lighting; innovative use of open spaces; and safety of citizens, especially children, women and elderly.

What clicked for the city

* Ludhiana residents voted in large numbers on the government portal, mygov.in, in October last year, giving their take on the city’s desired features. At least 1 lakh responses were received as feedback through the portal, on www.facebook.com/smartcityludhiana, and door-to-door visits, way ahead of other cities in the northern region

* The MC conducted an online campaign, ‘Ludhiana -- Jiven Main Vekhan’ (My Vision for Ludhiana), on mygov.in. More than 2,200 submissions were received

* Ludhiana’s pressing issues, such as traffic bottlenecks, contamination of drinking water, lack of public transport, and air pollution, were highlighted not only by officials and residents but also by the media

* MC officials made frequent trips to New Delhi and Chandigarh to discuss proposals with state and central govt officials

Pan-city proposals

e-rickshaws to be introduces in the entire city to replace auto-rickshaws by 2020. Efforts would be made to provide these eco-friendly vehicles at subsidised rates

MC to install unique identification number (UID) plates on each property of the city, based on the geographic information system (GIS)