Kerala’s capital, which topped in the second round of the Smart City Challenge, will attempt to solve its core city problems using the special funding under the scheme. The area to be covered has heritage locations and business centres, including the famed Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple.
The Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation drew up the area development plan for the Smart City Mission after a month-long campaign that used road shows and platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp. It conducted a poll, inviting people to vote at different city locations. The core city got the most number of votes.
Thiruvananthapuram’s smart plans aim to solve major urbanisation problems. The solutions include use of technology for decentralised waste management, making roads and walkways disabled-friendly, creating cycling pathways and bigger parking, and improving transport.
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Tapping non-conventional energy and rainwater harvesting by both government and residential buildings are other priorities. Elaborate plans are also being drawn up for efficient drinking water supply. E-governance is to be adopted in a big way. The preliminary plans were prepared by Bengaluru-based Infrastructure Development Corporation.