The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is feeling the pressure to perform since Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to launch his ambitious Smart Cities Mission from Pune.
Modi will be in the city on Saturday to inaugurate 14 different projects to be taken up by the Pune Smart City Development Corporation Limited (PSDCL).
The other 19 cities would kick start their projects simultaneously . In January this year, the government announced the names of the first 20 cities to be developed as smart cities, with Bhubaneswar topping the list followed by Pune and Jaipur.
Union urban development minister M Venkaiah Naidu recently termed Pune’s plan as a “lighthouse“. “If there is a lighthouse, everybody would look at that. If some smart cities are developed, there will be competition among others also…municipalities will increase their revenue and things will improve,“ Naidu had said during his recent visit to Pune.
Municipal commissioner Kunal Kumar termed the Centre’s faith in Pune as an honour and a challenge. “The government wants to showcase Pune at the all India level. This increases our responsibility manifold. We are not saying we have become a Smart City already , but we have started a journey and will definitely reach the destination,“ said Kumar.
When asked why he thinks Pune was chosen to launch the Mission, Kumar said, “The government surveyed other cities which are part of the Mission. But Pune is far ahead when it comes to planning with 15 projects already at the launching stage. We have ensured sustainability , mobility and community participation which stands on all aspects of the Mission. We have also created an ecosystem and support structure to implement the projects.“
Puneites are hopeful that Modi’s launching of the Mission here will help improve quality of life. “With the Prime Minister launching the Smart Cities project in the city , all eyes will be on the civic body for effective execution. There will be an added responsibility of showing the way to other cities as to how small steps can bring about a positive change in the lives of people,“ said Renu Sharma, a teacher and a homemaker. Besides garbage, water and infrastructure issues, the civic body must also focus on green cover, which is fast depleting, Sharma added.
“The Prime Minister’s presence will definitely put pressure on the PMC and the state government to complete these projects in time. Traffic and garbage are the two major challenges we are facing and the Smart City Mission must address them,“ said Nilima Shirke, a professional.
“Let’s hope for the best. The city is moving a step forward and if the Prime Minister wants to showcase Pune as mo del city, it’s a great opportunity for us to fulfil his expectations and make a name for ourselves in the country ,“ said Ganesh Deshmukh, a professional.
The residents of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Vasahat, however, were not pleased. “We were told recently that the PMC has planned a slum rehabilitation project in our locali ty. We had no clue about it so far. In fact, the Prime Minister coming to our city for the inauguration is a news for us,“ said the residents while talking to TOI.
Mayor Prashant Jagtap and his ruling NCP too have reservations about the project.“We are not opposing the Mission projects, but there are ma ny loopholes (in the projects) and a lot needs to be done,“ said Jagtap.
“It is participatory process of development and we will ensure to address all concerns raised by every stakeholder. It is city’s Mission and we will be able to take along all citizens,“ said municipal commissioner Kunal Kumar.
Source : TOI
