Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will open first ever conference of Urban Development Ministers of all States of the country to discuss construction of his dream smart cities in New Delhi tomorrow amidst reports that the Union Urban Development Ministry headed by BJP leader Vankiah Naidu has approved only one smart city for Jammu and Kashmir as against 13 for Uttar Pradesh and 12 for Tamil Nadu.
Jammu and Kashmir had sought construction of four smart cities in the State including Jammu, Srinagar, Katra and Anantnag. Two proposed smart cities-Katra and Anantnag didn’t fulfill the criteria laid down by the Centre.
Official sources told the Excelsior that Modi and Naidu will seek suggestions from the Urban Development Ministers of the State on building smart cities in the country for the first time during two days conference, which will be opened by the Prime Minister in New Delhi tomorrow. Apart from smart cities, the conference will also take up Atal Urban Mission for development of cities.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh, who holds charge of the Urban Development Ministry, will represent Jammu and Kashmir in the two days conference.
Sources said problems of Jammu and Kashmir have compounded following reports that Jammu and Kashmir has been placed in categories of small States like Uttarakhand and Jharkhand, which will get only one smart city as against 13 of Uttar Pradesh, 12 of Tamil Nadu, 10 Maharashtra, 7 Madhya Pradesh, 6 Gujarat and three in Bihar.
However, sources said, Jammu and Kashmir could get one more smart city in the next phase. It may be mentioned that the Government of India will take up construction of smart cities in two phases, almost 50 per cent during current financial year of 2015-16 and remaining in next financial year of 2016-17.
Jammu and Kashmir had proposed construction of four smart cities in Jammu and Kashmir in January this year during Governor’s Rule when the Centre had invited proposals from the State. Governor NN Vohra had proposed Jammu, Srinagar, Katra and Anantnag for construction of smart cities.
After PDP-BJP Government took over reigns of affairs in the State on March 1, it upheld the proposal sent to the Centre on smart cities. While Jammu and Srinagar have 10 lakh population, mandatory for the smart cities, Katra and Anantnag didn’t fulfill this criteria and the State Government had sought relaxation (in the criteria) on the ground that both served as pilgrims towns and base camps for Mata Vaishno Devi ji and Shri Amarnath ji shrines.
However, sources admitted that the State has been caught in dilemma following Centre’s decision to club Jammu and Kashmir with small States and allot only one smart city to it in the first phase. The Centre has, however, left the choice of picking up the smart cities on the State Governments.
Sources maintained that in his detailed presentation at the conference, Dr Nirmal Singh will strongly project the State Government’s demand for construction of four smart cities in Jammu and Kashmir on the ground that the State has distinct formula of rotational capital cities for six months for which Jammu and Srinagar deserve status of smart cities while Katra and Anantnag deserve the smart cities for attracting lakhs of pilgrims every year.
Sources said in addition to smart cities, the Centre will also develop various towns and cities in the country under Atal Urban Mission.
According to sources, the Centre has proposed 75:25 funding pattern ratio for the Smart Cities i.e. the Government of India would bear 75 per cent of the total expenditure while the State Government will have to contribute remaining 25 per cent funds. Total amount to be incurred on each Smart City is being worked out.
In proposed Smart Cities, in case of heavy traffics, routes will be automatically diverted while to reduce traffic on roads, there will be improvement in existing public transport system.
In case of accident or fault in a vehicle, people will get help in just one call. They will get help through CCTV too. On the lines of London’s Smart Traffic System, people will get the information regarding heavy traffic in advance. At present, Bangalore has this system, sources said.
Another prime feature of Smart City projects will be Data Centre. It will hold information about every Smart City. On the lines of Paris, the Smart City will have Face Identification System in place to catch criminals. The photos and DNA of criminals and suspects will be entered in computer and information will also be shared with other cities. After the scanning face, an alert message will be sent to police control room and this message will be forwarded to nearest police station so criminals can be nabbed easily. This system will help in controlling the crime.
There will be an integrated control room for crime, health, services and traffic for better co-ordination to provide quick help to people.
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