MADURAI
Madurai city is ranked 67 in a list of 87 Smart Cities. According to a report from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Madurai falls far behind the other cities in Tamil Nadu with an overall score of 4.91.
The city is ranked higher than others Tirunelveli, and Thoothukudi, which are ranked 78 and 80, in south Tamil Nadu. Other cities like Coimbatore, which is ranked 14th, have floated a large number of tenders and implemented projects.
Madurai, which joined the list of Smart Cities in 2016, is set to inaugurate its first smart project — the Mattuthavani Smart Fruit Market -- in a month’s time, according to Corporation Commissioner S. Aneesh Sekhar.
The city also aims at creating ‘Smart Roads’ and dedicated pathways for pedestrians. Under the Smart Cities Mission, the Madurai Corporation also aims to construct a heritage pathway in the area-based development zone connecting Tirumalai Nayak Palace and the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple at a cost of about ₹50 crore. It will also have one smart hospital, a multi-level car parking lot and a renovated Periyar Bus Stand.
Senior Corporation officials have reserved their comments regarding the ranking as they await official confirmation from the Ministry.
