Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Nov 28: In a significant development, the Government of India has placed the Smart City draft proposal for Jammu in the public domain seeking feedback from citizens and stakeholders for further improvement in the same.
The draft proposal envisaged better infrastructure, advanced transportation, digital era of living, better mobilization and sanitation system, systematic residential and commercial colonies, hygienic living environment etc in Smart City Jammu for the future generations,
For a better understanding, a presentation of the Smart City proposal, explaining the vision, pan-city proposal and area based development, has been shared at the Government of India’s official website www.mygov.in, seeking feedback and suggestions proposing further improvement in Jammu as Smart City.
There are around two dozen identified projects for the Jammu Smart City, which include; multi level car parking cum bus stand cum commercial complex, commercial complex at Muthi, Flatted Development Scheme at Muthi, River Front Development, Multi Level Car Parking at Hari Niwas, Intelligent Traffic Lighting, Ramp Base Multi Level Parking at Panjtirthi, fencing along the Main Tawi Canal, renovation of Mubarak Mandi Heritage site, pedestrian walkway, development of green spaces, Solid Waste Management Project, modernization of the existing abattoirs (slaughter house:), Sewerage Project, Drainage Projects , Septage Management, improvement of street lighting by conversion from Sodium Bulbs to LED, Intelligent Traffic Light System, Bus Queue Shelters etc.
Jammu Development Authority (JDA), Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), Power Development Department (PDD), Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) and Tourism Department are the main implementing agencies for execution of these projects, having estimated cost of Rs 3400 crores.
Pertinent to mention that Jammu is the Gateway city and winter capital of J&K State, having good regional connectivity with all major cities through rail, road and air. Also known as the City of Temples, there are 12 major temples in Jammu, besides 158 identified heritage structures located within core city. It is also emerging as knowledge hub with IIT, Central University, Jammu University, Engineering, Medical and Agricultural Colleges while IIM and AIIMS are in proposals.
Jammu City caters to 75 percent of the urban population of the district with 35 percent WPR, 90 percent literacy rate, 100 percent coverage of piped water supply, 30 percent PT ridership, availability of toilet blocks and 28 percent of the roads have street lights.
Even as some projects of different infrastructure development sectors (Water supply, sanitation, SWM, transport, institutional reforms etc) are already in pipeline, there are certain weaknesses of Jammu, which also faces threats of flood risk due to Tawi river and earthquakes because of being situated at seismic zone 4.
In Jammu, only 5 percent households are connected by the sewerage network and only 17 percent area is covered by SWM while rest of the area does not have door to door collection. Further, unavailability of parking spaces throughout the city, unorganized public transport system, ineffective maintenance of heritage sites and historical places in the city, uneven distribution of parks and green space in the city and 43 percent NRW, are among the weaknesses of Jammu.
The development of Jammu as Smart City means provision of world class facilities and services to the citizens here, promotion of Jammu as a brand, rejuvenation of old city areas by restoration of heritage and history besides increasing GDP and employment opportunities within city.
The Smart City vision has strategic focus on developing of Jammu as tourist destination, improvement of quality life by providing efficient, resilient and sustainable infrastructure besides development of vibrant economic opportunities and amenities for all groups of people.
The draft proposal also envisaged key interventions for area based development of Raghunath Bazar, Mubarak Mandi approach road, Residency Road and Indira Chowk by upgradation of road network, increase in upgraded pedestrian network, removing overhead wires and indecent structures, façade improvement, view improvement, green space development etc.
As per Government of India guidelines, the draft proposal needs 50000 likes on facebook, comments and suggestions on facebook/Twitter, MyGov page and WhatsApp group. Government of India requires citizens and stakeholders participation in making of Jammu Smart City for being qualified in Smart Cities list.
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