Rock Fort area, which is a commercial hub of the city, has emerged as a strong contender to be selected for retrofitting under the smart city proposal, which is to be submitted with the Ministry of Urban Development.
Of the four localities, Rock Fort area, Central Bus Stand area, Thillai Nagar and Srirangam, which are under consideration for retrofitting plan, Rock Fort area is said to have emerged as a consensus choice of all stakeholders including citizens, elected representatives, officials and town planners.
Though Central Bus Stand area and Srirangam are also preferred by a section of stakeholders, many of them have put their weight behind Rock Fort area considering the chronic issues confronted by the Rock Fort area. It has got the favour of many since the area is widely visited by hundreds of shoppers from all corners of the city daily.
Informed sources said the Rock Fort area would include Gandhi Market, Big Bazaar Street, Chinnakadai street, N.S.B Road, Nandi Koil Street, Main Guard Gate, Salai Road and Thillai Nagar main road. Though it was initially said that 500 acres of existing built up area in the city would be chosen for retrofitting plan, the Ministry of Urban Development had now allowed the Corporations to follow flexible approach to bring more acres under the retrofitting plan.
“The area from Gandhi Market to N.S.B road is used extensively by all people irrespective of their region when compared to other areas. It is the main commercial area. It is confronted many issues including poor drainage, haphazard parking, crisscross power lines, damaged pavements and others.
Chances are more for projecting Rock Fort area in the retrofitting plan,” said a person involved in the preparation of Smart City Proposal for Tiruchi.
He said the area had many issues. The idea was to find out ways and means to provide smart solutions by using Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Stating that the preparation of Smart City Challenge Mission Proposal was on right track, Tiruchi Corporation had emerged as one of the top contenders to be shortlisted in the first 20 Corporations out of 100 Corporations considering the excellent participation of all stakeholders in the preparation of SCCMP. The proposal would be submitted well before December 15. One or two more consultations with stakeholders would take place in Tiruchi shortly.
