Ludhiana to get smarter, lucky to be among 98 cities

LUDHIANA: The Central Government today released a list of cities to be covered under the ambitious Smart City projectThe industrial city of Ludhiana figures on the list of 98 cities which will be developed under the project in the next few years

Updated At : 06:27 AM Aug 28, 2015 IST

An aerial view of Ludhiana, which is set to witness massive development in the coming years. Tribune Photo: Himanshu Mahajan

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 27

The Central Government today released a list of cities to be covered under the ambitious Smart City project.The industrial city of Ludhiana figures on the list of 98 cities which will be developed under the project in the next few years. The Centre will provide a huge grant to each one of these cities and the respective state governments are expected to contribute a matching grant.

The list of smart cities was announced by Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu in Delhi today. From Punjab, three major cities, Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ludhiana, have been chosen to be developed as smart cities.

The Centre will provide Rs 200 crore each in the first year and Rs 100 crore each over the next five years to the selected cities.

For the common man here, the smart city tag means good basic amenities to all. Sukhpreet Kaur, a college teacher, said: “A smart city is expected to have smooth carpeted roads. During rainy days, the city gets flooded due to poor drainage system. We expect this problem to be resolved under the project. A smart city should have neat and clean environment with a good green cover. We expect that mushrooming of illegal buildings will come to an end. Residents should also get respite from the most polluted Buddha Nullah, etc.”

Welcoming the announcement made by the Central Government, MLA of the Congress Bharat Bhushan Ashu said it was a welcome step that Ludhiana had been included in the Smart City project list. “As far as the subsequent grant of Rs 100 crore each year is concerned, it is peanuts. A matching grant has to be arranged by the state government. We hope the Punjab Government will make a maximum of the opportunity given to it,” said Ashu.

The Additional Commissioner of the MC, Ghanshyam Thori, said it was a welcome step. Road infrastructure, proper water supply and sewerage, upgrade of traffic lights (LED lights), good drainage will be the priorities under the project.

Residents’ expectations from a smart city

Pollution-free environment:

Residents feel that a smart city must be free from pollution, which has reached alarming proportions in the industrial city. Be it noise, air or water, there should be no pollution in a smart city.

Less congested:

Residents wish the city roads provided them a smooth drive. This could be possible only when encroachments, be it temporary or permanent, will be removed. The traffic flow needs to be smooth, feel the residents.

Cleaning of Sutlej and Buddha Nullah:

The residents should not suffer due to pollution in both Buddha Nullah and the Sutlej. Sincere efforts should be made to clean the nullah.

End to beggar menace:

Though not under the purview of the MC, the residents definitely want beggars to be removed from the city. Beggars can be seen in large numbers in every nook and corner of the city.