The city will have one of the best command and control centres in the world with integrated traffic management, CCTV and pollution monitoring centres located in different areas, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation Commissioner M. Hari Narayanan has said.
At a meeting with representatives of residents’ welfare associations (RWAs) from various colonies in the city on Sunday, the Commissioner recalled that in a post-Hudhud survey, the maximum number of respondents had opted for proper disaster management plans under the Smart City plan.
“A proactive attitude among citizens is the real strength of a city and Visakhapatnam has it in abundance,” he said giving a few examples of people’s participation in improvement of civic conditions. He, however, said that greater participation of the public was required for holistic development of the city.
Mr. Hari Narayanan said: “During my earlier stint as Project Officer of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) at Paderu, the tribal village of Gonduru became the first ODF (open defecation-free) village and the credit for it goes entirely to the sarpanch who motivated the villagers to use toilets and the people, who had supported him in the endeavour.” Similarly an MLA from West Godavari had motivated the people of his entire constituency for ODF in three months. Public support and right attitude were also important for improvement of civic amenities, the Commissioner said giving a few examples from the city.
On the engagement with RWAs, the Commissioner said that it was a social initiative by the GVMC to increase citizen participation and resolution of civic issues at the colony or local level through education and awareness. Citing an example, he said that the RWAs could create greater awareness on issues like ‘Swachh Survekshan’ and source-segregation of household wastes.
Awareness
Mr. Hari Narayanan opined that more than enforcement of rules, creating awareness among citizens about the benefits of various measures like having rain water harvesting pits, proper maintenance of parks and not throwing garbage and wastes on the roads would go a long way in achieving the results.
