Nagpur: Going into Smart City mode, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) Administration on Saturday organized a glittering workshop at Raje Raghujirao Bhosale Nagar Bhavan (Mahal Town Hall) for power point presentation on various aspects of the ambitious project. During the power point presentation, Municipal Commissioner Shravan Hardikar adroitly apprised the Corporators about the dream Smart City concept. Nagpur was selected for Smart City project in the first stage of selection itself.
The Smart City project will be funded by Central Government while development of basic structures and facilities will have to be carried out by local civic bodies in accordance with their respective requirements. NMC Administration has drawn a development plan and has also prepared a report that was also presented to a large number of Corporators present at the workshop. The Municipal Commissioner went into every aspect of the report thah will turn Nagpur a Smart City.
During the workshop, a number of Corporators put forward their suggestions which reflected their opinions as well.
The workshop was inaugurated by Mayor Pravin Datke. Others who were seated on dais include Ruling Party Leader Dayashankar Tiwari, MLC and Senior Corporator Prakash Gajbhiye, BSP Group Leader Gautam Patil and Municipal Commissioner Shravan Hardikar.
The Municipal Commissioner Hardikar interacted with Corporators and officials and elaborated on the concept of Smart City. He also shared information on the funds to be made available by Central Government, the State and NMC. Hardikar said that at present the population of Nagpur stands at 27 lakhs while the number of vehicles is 12-15 lakhs. Hence if timely action is not initiated the city would witness chaotic traffic and its effects. If this mess is to be avoided, a systematic public transportation will have to be planned and at the same time arrangements for parking too will have to be planned, said Hardikar. He also dwelt on tourism-oriented revenue, job opportunities and other positive aspects. “Nagpur has become educational hub but after education youths from the city turn to Mumbai, Pune and other cities for jobs. If they get jobs here only the benefits of their knowledge could be reaped by the city and moreover the youths would be able to stay with their parents as well,” stated Hardikar.
Other dignitaries who graced the workshop include Corporators Aslam Khan, Raju Nagulwar, Praful Gudadhe, Kishore Gajbhiye, Avinash Thakre, Pragati Patil, Water Works Committee Chairman Sandeep Joshi, Estate Committee Chairman Sunil Agrawal and large number of Corporators, Chairmen of Zonal Committees, officials and others.
In the workshop, NMC received a total of 1365 concepts of Smart City from citizens and voluntary organizations. Out of the received concepts, workable 20 will be presented and the best 10 will be selected for development of Smart City.
