Suggestions received for ’Smart City’ cross 8,000

Suggestions received for ’Smart City’ cross 8,000

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Oct 16, 2015: Infrastructural Leasing and Financial Services Infrastructure Development Corporation  Limited (IIDC), Manager Animesh Ahaskar stated that  more than 8,000 suggestions have been received in the first phase of public interaction for ‘Smart City’ project and the actual suggestions on the implementation of the scheme in Mangaluru will be received in the second phase,

At an interaction programme, organised by  KCCI - Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry  at Bunder on Oct 15, Thursday, he said people can submit their opinion at mygov.in, smartcitymangalluru (facebook page), or on twitter besides drop boxes. Though, collecting ideas by organising programmes at schools and colleges is good, but it is not feasible within the given time.

Stating that comparing Singapore or Hong Kong, Indian Smart Cities have rich cultural diversity.   Once the actual work begins, we can develop the city as a brand. Tier-II cities have more scope for development. The scheme helps for both civil infrastructural and IT development. Though there is no provision for the development of corridor under the scheme, other departments can take up the work to serve the purpose.

Smart city : Animesh Ahaskar defined Smart City as the process of bringing smartness through physical, social, institutional, economical and infrastructural development and preparing city to face future challenges. The main instruments of Smart City scheme are use of clean technology, information and communication technology (ICT), participation of private sector, citizen participation and smart governance.

Mangaluru is hoping to become one of the first 20 Smart Cities of the country. Online submission of the plan with limited words and images should be done on December 15. Though the government has mentioned 24 key features for the Smart City, the cities like Mangaluru, with versatile culture can add features according to requirements.

A Smart City should develop good recycling process of water, urban mobility, development of sidewalks for pedestrians, encouraging non-motorized transport, intelligent traffic management system, parking, urban designing, housing etc. The city can be developed either in redevelopment mode or in Retro field or Greenfield modes. The vision of the city, is not only a statement, but it should define City’s uniqueness. .

KCCI president Rammohan Pai Maroor, vice president Jeevan Saldanha, Treasurer Ganesh Bhat, Secretary Vathika Pai were present as well.