It’s official: Twin capitals (Jammu & Kashmir) to go ‘Smart’

The twin capitals of J&K — Srinagar and Jammu — are to be developed as Smart Cities after they won the competition by proposing to ensure coordination among various agencies for better delivery of services.
The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Department today announced the names of 30 cities during the third round of the Smart City Challenge in which 45 cities contested for 40 slots.
Out of the total 30 selected cities, Srinagar was placed at the 10th position while Jammu was ranked 21st.
Officials said the rankings depended on the effectiveness of the proposal submitted before the Central government to develop the city with affordable housing projects, schools and hospitals for its citizens. “It also depended on how effectively we will manage the water and power resources,” said Srinagar Municipal Corporation Commissioner Shafkat Khan.
“Our detailed project report proposes feasible and workable plans to match the aspirations of our citizens. It mentioned the availability of the infrastructure and also what we are planning ahead for the development of the city,” he said.
Shafkat Khan said the proposal of Srinagar also highlighted how the services of private parties would be availed to streamline the city’s functioning.
Also, the government would take up redesign and redevelopment of roads of the cities for the convenience of the public, he said.
He said the cities would put in place Integrated Command and Control Centres to enable coordination among various agencies for better service delivery.
Both the cities would get Rs 500 crore each to develop their infrastructure, Shafkat Khan said.
The Smart City Mission — aimed at improving basic urban infrastructure in the cities — was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2015.
The project aims to make nearly 100 cities citizen-friendly with sustainable development in the country.
The setting up of Smart Cities is also part of the Agenda of Alliance signed by the PDP and the BJP before forming the coalition government in the state.
The core infrastructure elements in a Smart City include adequate water supply, assured electricity supply, sanitation and efficient urban mobility.