PTI
NEW DELHI, JANUARY 2
Majority of the Smart City plans for 95 cities submitted to the Urban Development Ministry have thrown up vision statements listing economic development, cleaner environment and richer cultural heritage as main goals.
According to the action plans submitted by 50 of the proposed Smart Cities, 11 aimed at emerging as clean, green and sustainable cities followed by nine cities seeking to leverage rich cultural heritage legacy for stimulating development.
Eight cities stated economic growth and development as the core of their vision and the rest seek to emerge as tourism hubs, port cities, education and health hubs, industrial and institutional centres with the help of unique features and strengths of respective cities.
Promoting economic development, improving quality of life and enabling inclusive urbanization is mentioned as part of the vision by most of the cities.
As required under the Mission guidelines, each of the Mission Cities has formulated City Vision statement based on citizen consultations, according to Urban Development Ministry statement.
Plans were submitted last month and the first batch of 20 Smart Cities will be selected this month.
One of the key proposed Smart Cities, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) in its vision statement aimed at emerging as the global benchmark for a capital city.
Bihar Sharif envisages to emerge as a tourism gateway while Chandigarh seeks to be an ideal city which is innovative, distinct and dynamic, economically vibrant, accessible and livable.
Gandhinagar aims to be an institutional hub with diversified economic base that provides equitable setting for all to live and work with better quality of life and infrastructure.
Also, Panaji aims to be transformed into a world-class, environmentally sustainable and inclusive city while preserving its heritage, cultural diversity and ecosystems through innovation and smart solutions.
According to Smart City proposal submitted to Urban Development Ministry, Aligarh plans to become an economically vibrant, environment-friendly smart city while conserving heritage and culture, by promoting communal harmony and sustainable urban infrastructure.
Also, Dahod has sought to emerge as a dynamic and a multi-functional activity hub for tribals.
Visakhapatnam seeks to be a healthy metropolis while Warangal in neighbouring Telangana is keen to emerge as vibrant regional economic hub besides being clean and green.
According to its submitter Smart City proposal, Lucknow is keen about emerging as a clean, green and efficient citizen centric city with a modern economy and outlook anchored in its tradition, heritage and culture with better quality of life.
Tirupati has envisaged in its Smart City plan to become a right place to live, work and visit with a high quality core infrastructure in an inclusive manner, which is intelligently and efficiently managed to convert the holy city into a smart city.
Karnal aims to become economically flourishing while embedded in culture and history.
And, Dharamshala aims to be a smart, sustainable and resilient city with a global imprint and enhanced quality of life for its residents.
Ranchi plans to develop as an industrial centre through inclusive growth practices to enhance quality of life by adopting smart and sustainable methodology.
Moradabad plans to make a global impression as a clean, green and smart brass city with best quality of life for citizens.
Vadodara plans to be a sustainable and clean city with an efficient, sophisticated, skilled and people centric administration offering best quality services to its citizens.
Mangaluru plans to be a clean and green port city, nurtured by a vibrant community and educated and industrious citizens with pluralistic cultural heritage and health care services, using eco-friendly technologies for affordable, safe and quality urban life.
Bhubaneswar aims to promote responsible governance through participatory decision-making and open access to information and technology.
Lastly, Amritsar plans to be a vibrant heritage city with world class and eco-friendly infrastructure leading to enhanced economic growth through responsive resource management making it a clean and green city.
