By- Priya Yadav, ENN
Stakeholders in making Chandigarh a Smart City came together to deliberate upon various aspects at a workshop which was a visioning exercise for the UT Administration, on November 2, 2015.
Organised jointly by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the UT Administration, along with Deloitte as the knowledge partner, the workshop saw seven parameters brainstormed that would finalise the vision for Smart City Chandigarh.
Speaking on the occasion, Vijay Kumar Dev, Adviser to the Administrator, UT, said, “To make Chandigarh an ideal Smart City which is innovative, democratic, economically vibrant, accessible and liveable, the role of its citizens and stakeholders like residents, industrialists, institutes, MC Counsellors, officials, commercial establishments, students, etc., in providing bright and sharp ideas also working together cohesively as a unit, is the key”.
Sharing the example of Scandinavia, the adviser added, “The bright and ignited minds of the normal citizens and laymen and their collective concern and endeavours for the city converted this city into the best place to live in Europe.
“Our objective is to provide all services to citizens through smart route only. For this, it is imperative that the MC Counsellors, citizens and UT officials work hand in hand in a coordinated manner. It is important that MC Counsellors act as a bridge between the citizens and the Administration”, he added.
He also shared that Sector 17 plaza would be upgraded and showcased as the World’s best market and heritage place. “We have already made the initial plans to increase the footfall as well as enrich the experience of families visiting and shopping in sector 17 and would be implementing it very soon,” he said.
The workshop which saw participation of all key UT officials, including Anurag Aggarwal, Home Secretary-cum-State Mission Director (Smart City), Chandigarh Administration; Finance Secretary, IGP, DC, Municipal Commissioner and Municipal Counsellors, aimed to draw a roadmap for finalising the vision and sub goal for the Smart City Chandigarh.
The participants brainstormed and shared their views and suggestions in seven groups on different parameters to make Chandigarh a Smart City. The parameters were – Mobility, Utilities, Economy and Employment, Safety, Health and Education, eGovernance and Solid Waste Management.
