With the Centre releasing a list of 98 cities for the Smart City project and Coimbatore finding a place in it, the Corporation is gearing up to take forward the project.Coimbatore Corporation Commissioner K. Vijayakarthikeyan told The Hindu on Thursday that the plan was for holistic development of the city, with equal impetus on all essential features – infrastructure, mobility, environment. And, to ensure that “service delivery is top-notch.”
The Corporation has started the process of collecting inputs from the stakeholders. “We have had two workshops and we will continue this process. We will talk to the students and citizens too and place it before the council for its views,” he said.
The Corporation would start working on the Smart City Proposal (SCP) after receiving the official communication from the government. A consultant would be appointed based on the guidelines given by the Union Government.
According to a senior official in the Corporation, several major proposals for the development of the city are in the pipeline. The local body is expected to float tenders for the 24x7 drinking water supply scheme soon; it has submitted a comprehensive mobility plan to the State Government; besides, a detailed project report for multi-level car parking.
Apart from the Central Government funding for the Smart City project for three years, the State Government is also expected to provide financial support. The Corporation has earmarked funds in its budget for the major projects already proposed. It has also received approval from the government for one-year extension for the staff and machinery appointed under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. Thus, it would have the staff and resources for the project.
Coimbatore Mayor P. Rajkumar added that the Corporation had started working on the project and the opinion of the council would also be taken. Due importance would be given to all the non-government organisations working for the development of the city.
