‘Smart City’ to be developed only on the basis of suggestions forwarded by citizens. Construction of cement roads at the cost of Rs 344 crore to start soon.
Nagpur: Mayor Pravin Datke on Saturday held a formal meet the press programme at Tilak Patrakar Bhavan and gave an account of various issues including financial condition of NMC, development schemes, facilities being extended to citizens and the all important ‘Smart City’ project. The ‘Smart City’ has to be developed on the lines of Central Government’s guidelines and the NMC has put itself in top gear to realize the dream ‘Smart City’ project.
‘Smart City’ project:
The Mayor Pravin Datke specifically stressed that Nagpur will be developed as ‘Smart City’ only on the basis of suggestions forwarded by the citizens. NMC has so far distributed 6.5 lakh forms out of which 3.5 lakh forms have been received with citizens noting their suggestions and opinions of a ‘Smart City.’
50 percent women feel unsafe:
The Smart City-related forms received by NMC have been dotted with opinions of womenfolk 50 percent of whom opined that they feel unsafe in present atmosphere. Reacting to this dreadful fact, the Mayor termed the matter serious and said that soon a meeting with concerned departments will be held and a plan of action will be discussed and initiated. The Smart City will be developed as Safe City also, said Datke.
Sitabuld Fort:
In good news to citizens, Mayor announced that the historic Sitabuldi Fort can now visited once a week. Previously, the Fort was thrown open for public on August 15, January 26 amd Maharashtra Day (May 1). However, now the Defence Ministry has given its nod to keep the Sitabuldi Fort open once a week. A letter in this respect was received by NMC on Saturday from the Defence Ministry. The decision was the outcome of a demand from citizens since long.
Cement roads at the cost of Rs 344 crore:
The Mayor further said that now onwards, only cement roads will be constructed in the city for which the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis himself has assured the NMC to provide Rs 100 crore every year. Shortly, construction of cement roads at the cost of Rs 344 crore will be started. 22 packages have been prepared for the project. Bhoomipujan programme for the work will be performed between December 15 and 20. In the coming days, the city roads will be more or less safer and accident-free.
Police Station for NMC works only:
During the anti-encroachment drives and other similar works, the NMC generally asks for police help. Most of the times police help is received but many times it gets delayed. In cities like Mumbai and Pune, special police stations are created for Municipal Corporations. On the same lines, Nagpur too should have a special police station for NMC that will look after its works only. A demand in this regard has been forwarded to the Guardian Minister of Nagpur, stated the Mayor Datke.
Measures for boosting NMC revenue:
According to the Mayor, the monthly revenue of NMC is approximately Rs 62 crore. However, the civic body is receiving only Rs 40 crore in place of LBT. It is true that the financial condition of NMC is not good but measures are being initiated to increase the revenue from various sources. NMC is making attempts to extend concessions to citizens and at the same time increasing its revenue. Focus will be on property tax recovery and construction of markets. NMC is start four PPP projects including three hospitals, said Datke.
New policy on the anvil to run Star Buses:
The NMC-run Star Bus service is always at the receiving end of controversies. For better service, the NMC is mulling a three-pronged strategy. The strategy is to bring and deploy 55 new green buses, appointment of new operator and two different companies for bus maintenance and ticket recovery.
Smart administration along with Smart City:
Heaping accolades on Municipal Commissioner Shravan Hardikar, the Mayor asserted that the city has got an excellent officer. He is not only doing good job but also initiating steps for administrative reforms. Good officers have been brought in the NMC Administration. The Municipal Commissioner is studying systems of many world cities and taking steps to implement the same in the city. Hardikar is soon going to Hong Kong for studying traffic, transport and parking systems there.
Nag Nadi restoration:
The NMC will soon start restoration and purification of Nag Nadi afresh. The Environ Ministry of Central Government will provide loan for the work. Similarly, private companies such as Hitachi and Essel will also extend assistance in the project. Under the project, beautification of Nag Nadi will also be on focus along with purification of water, concluded the Mayor Datke.
