Improving basic infrastructure in 1,403.33 acres of Core City Area of the State capital is the focus of the area-specific development to be taken up in the next five years as part of Smart City Mission. The State capital emerged on the top of the list of round three of Smart City challenge in which 50 cities participated.
Thiruvananthapuram had missed the bus in the earlier round. Kochi has already made it to the Smart City list.
Waste management, walkways without obstructions, improved traffic arrangements, parking facilities and cycling pathways have been mooted for the core area that will consist of Chala, Thampanoor, Fort, Vazhuthacaud, Thycaud, Valiyasala and Palayam.
Other energy sources
Technology will be leveraged for decentralised waste management activities. Roads and walkways will be made differently abled friendly. Non-conventional sources of energy will be tapped.
Solar plants and rainwater harvesting will be promoted in government offices and residential areas. Projects for further improvement of the drinking water supply distribution, transportation, safety systems and e-governance figure on the list approved by Corporation council and submitted to the Centre.
Bengaluru-based Infrastructure Development Corporation (Karnataka) Limited (iDeCK), the consultant, had prepared the preliminary plans that were vetted by technical committees before it reached the council.
The Core City Area comprising Palayam and East Fort had garnered the most number of votes from the public, in the opinion polls through social media and electronic voting held across the 100 wards of the Corporation this year.
Attukal, Veli, Kazhakuttam, City Centre (Palayam and East Fort), National Highway 66 bypass corridor, Vizhinjam, Medical College, Outer Corridors were the areas identified.
The core area was selected based on the criterion that its development will be useful for all residents.
If the area is developed, the chances of an increase in the local body’s revenue are high. This too favoured the decision.
