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| Srinagar & Jammu have missed the mark | | | The twin capital cities of Jammu and Kashmir have not yet entered the club of smart cities that were to be developed by the BJP led NDA Government as part of its plan to develop as many as 98 smart cities in the country.What is intriguing is the way that since BJP,for the first time,has been sharing power with the PDP in Jammu and Kashmir the state deserved two smart cities that of Srinagar and Jammu.Well the two cities do justify getting included in the smart cities programme because they are the twin capitals of the state.Not only this while Jammu is first stop for several lakh pilgrims to Vaishno Devi Srinagar is the first station where several lakh tourists and an equal number of pilgrims to Amarnath cave take a night's shelter.The plight of the two cities is no longer secret because of congested roads,no proper parking lots,no drinking water and electricity facilties.As far as the sectors of education and health are concerned the twin capital cities have a separate tale to tell.Well one does not question the cities that have been included in the smart cities plan because these cities are bigger in size and population than Srinagar and Jammu cities are.
Lucknow, Warangal and Panaji are among the list of 13 smart cities selected by the Union Government on Tuesday. They are 1) Lucknow; 2) Warangal; 3) Dharamsala; 4) Chandigarh; 5) Raipur; 6) New Town Kolkata; 7) Bhagalpur; 8) Panaji; 9) Port Blair; 10) Imphal; 11) Ranchi; 12) Agartala; 13) Faridabad.The Government has also announced that seven more capital cities will be allowed to enter the smart city competition. They are: Patna, Shimla, Naya Raipur, Itanagar, Amaravati, Bengaluru and Thiruvananthapuram.Twenty-three cities, with the highest ranking from as many States and Union Terrritories, which failed to get representation in the first round of competition held in January participated in the 'Fast Track Competition' from which these 13 were selected.Where has been the PDP-BJP coalition Government ? Why did it not apply for the fast Track competition ? If it has not the fault lies with the coalition Government.
Possibly the coalition Government in Jammu and Kashmir expected some special concession from the Modi led Government.Well if Mehbooba receives special concession it is something wonderful.Both Srinagar and Jammu have due claim for being included in the smart cities plan.It is not sheer fight for a cosy place.But if one goes through the main features of smart cities one would be convinced that Srinagar and Jammu cities deserve this treatment.A 'smart city' is an urban region that is highly advanced in terms of overall infrastructure, sustainable real estate, communications and market viability. It is a city where information technology is the principal infrastructure and the basis for providing essential services to residents. There are many technological platforms involved, including but not limited to automated sensor networks and data centres.According to the documents released on the Smart Cities website, the core infrastructure in a smart city would include:Adequate water supply,assured electricity supply Sanitation, including solid waste management Efficient urban mobility and public transport,affordable housing, especially for the poor robust IT connectivity and digitalization good governance, especially e-Governance and citizen participation,sustainable environment safety and security of citizens, particularly women, children and the elderly and health and education.A cursory reading of these benefits are the need for Srinagar and Jammu.Let Mehbooba make another bid. |
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