A new ray of hope to be a smart city revives after submission of revised proposal by #MCF

A new ray of hope to be a smart city revives after submission of revised proposal by MCF

 Sanjay Chaturvedi

 Faridabad: The residents and officials of Municipal Corporation of Faridabad (FBD) are now in ‘wait and watch’ mode regarding the selection for being in smart city project. Sh. D.R.Bhaskar, Superintending Engineer MCF, being the nodal officer for the smart city project said that names of 23 cities to be selected for the first phase under the fast track mode are expected to be declared in the month of May itself. He said that the scrutiny of the revised proposals submitted by different cities is already being scrutinized by the concerned at the Urban Development Ministry in New Delhi. He said that in addition to the cities already selected, these 23 cities would also be included in the first phase of smart city project. He said that he is very optimistic of getting Faridabad selected in the fast track mode.

Earlier Dr. Aditya Dahiya, IAS, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Faridabad said that upon Faridabad being shortlisted as one of the Fast Track cities for Smart City by Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India, the Municipal Corporation, Faridabad started functioning in the preparation of upgraded/revised Smart City Proposal (SCP) through its Consultants and has got prepared the SCP after having citizen consultations through various means, collecting necessary details and series of meetings with the officers of different Departments of Faridabad.

While preparing the SCP, the deficiencies, pointed out by Ministry of Urban development, GOI with regard to the Smart City Proposal earlier submitted by Municipal Corporation, Faridabad have been duly taken care of and the present revised/upgraded SCP was improved and upgraded not only with the ideas, visions and views of the residents of Faridabad but also with the valuable suggestions and ideas given by the members of the  Inter Departmental Task Force Committee and the State Level High Powered Steering Committee during their meetings. The commissioner further informed that the main components of the upgraded SCP, amongst others are:-

1. Vision Statement – Making the Faridabad to create economic impact through Transit Orient Development and Smarter Mobility and Urbanism for social and environmental benefits.

1. Area Based Development Proposals – For this, an area of 1267 acres of land attracting the areas of residential, commercial, institutional, industrial, slum and urban villages, has been proposed carrying the population of about 37000 based upon the figures of 2011 census.  The main components having been taken in the Area Based Development Proposal are:

1. Smart Mobility Incorporating ppedestrian and Non Motorized Transport (NMT), Intelligent Traffic Management System – Synchronised traffic signals for optimum traffic flow, Intelligent Car Parking System, Smart Signage, Smart Auto/Taxi Stands, Public bike sharing system.

1. Smart Civic Infrastructure – Decentralized STP’s for reuse of wastewater for Badkhal lake revival and Waste Water Recycling, Rain water Harvesting, Leak management, SCADA based monitoring of flow, levels & pressures in the network and Centralized control room, Automated Online water quality Monitoring System, Revamping of sewerage network infrastructure, Provision of Smart toilets and Smart solid waste management, Wi-Fi, Underground cabling, Solar rooftops and LED street lighting.

1. Smart Urbanism – TOD, Weekend – Eco Tourism near Badkhal Lake, Smart Urban Villages, Open air Gyms, Multimodal Hub, provision of basic services in slums.

1. Pan City Solutions – Smart Traffic & Transit Management System having the features of Traffic Management System, Traffic Rule Violation Detection System, Smart Parking Management System, Passenger Information System/Journey Planner, E-vehicle module, Faridabad Traffic & Transit operations & mgmt centre.

Apart from the above mentioned points, the Consultants were advised to explore the possibility of including the following suggestions in the Proposal:-

1. Skywalk-ways on PPP Mode having facilities of housekeeping, small vending kiosks etc., connected with the Metro/Railway Stations
2. Pedestrian facility such as footpaths, segregated NMT lanes
3. Open Air Gyms
4. Intensive plantation along the high ways and roads with the objective of pollution reduction and to make Green Faridabad.

It was further said by the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Faridabad that the total expenditure projected in the upgraded Smart City Proposal is Rs. 2,600.01 crores which includes:

108. Area Based Development: (INR 2,108.00 crores)
109. Smart Mobility: The smart mobility initiative is estimated to be INR 377.67 crores

• Smart & Sustainable Civic Infrastructure: The smart & sustainable civic infrastructure initiatives are estimated to be INR 543.63 crores

186. Smart Urbanism: The smart urbanism initiative is estimated to be INR 1,186.70 crores
187. PAN CITY SOLUTIONS: (INR 469.68 crores)

The up-graded Smart City Proposal for Faridabad has also identified several projects which shall generate direct revenue from their operations which are as follows:-

1. Rental revenue: (INR 39.12 Crores – per annum )
2. Public parking revenue: (INR 6.20 crores- annum)
3. Land monetization initiatives: (INR 428.38 crores – One time revenue)

After including the above mentioned points in the revised proposal the same was submitted to the Central Urban Ministry for consideration. Mr. Bhaskar informed that the scrutiny would result in assigning specific points on the respective areas. Higher the points, more is the chance to be selected.