As there is no pre-defined concept for the smart city plan, Ekroop Kaur, Managing Director of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation and adviser for the project in Belagavi, has shown the way to explore the idea and conceptualise it into a smart solution.
Speaking at a workshop organised for students of KLE University here on Friday, she said that smart city did not necessarily mean huge investment for creating infrastructure but using resources in a cost-effective, scientific and economical way keeping in view the gaps in demand and supply for the next generation. Every city must evolve its own unique way to take the challenge to the next level to bring about visible qualitative change in the city and its environment on a sustainable basis.
For instance, the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) implemented its ambitious World Bank-assisted 24x7 drinking water supply project in 10 select wards, which eventually resulted in the reduction of overall consumption of water. Now, the government has approved a proposal to implement it in all the remaining 48 Wards of in next five years.
Earlier, BCC Commissioner G. Prabhu gave a presentation on the project. Executive Engineer R.S. Naik, who played a significant role to secure 96.8 per cent marks for Belagvi to be on the top among the six cities selected from Karnataka for the smart city project, said October 20 was the last day to submit suggestions. Mayor Kiran Sayanak and Deputy Mayor Meena Rayman Vaaz were present.
Meanwhile, H.B. Rajashekhar suggested construction of a ring road and development of self-content townships which would considerably bring down traffic hazards in the city.
Also, priority should be given to pan-city development under the project so as to infuse “a feeling of belongingness among every citizen of the city”. KLEU Registrar V.D. Patil suggested vehicle-free road at least for few hours every day, while M.V. Jali, CEO of KLE Hospital stressed on protecting precious water bodies.
Though the workshop was open for interaction, none from the nearly 500 participants even a single question to raise.
