The town of Bidhannagar in Kolkata is eying a spot in the next list of smart cities to be released by the Centre with the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation submitting an upgraded smart city plan to the state government to be further sent to the Union government.
Kolkata had earlier submitted proposals for the towns of New Town, Haldia, Durgapur and Bidhannagar to be selected in the first 20-city list but none of them were shortlisted by Union Ministry of Urban Development.
For making the upgraded plan, the locals of Bidhannagar had participated in an online platform organized by the civic authorities where they gave their opinion on the ways of turning their town into a smart city. It was noted that more than 50% wanted Bidhannagar to become an ideal township for the elderly people. Specifically, it was concluded that the aged section of the town should be facilitated with a 24*7 helpline number along with arranging a separate area for them in hospitals, banks and government offices followed by making primary health care arrangements in all wards.
The people also voted in favour of providing separate library services and making similar separate sitting arrangements in parks, etc.
The upgraded plan, which has to be given to the Centre by the State Government, also focused on developing a pollution-free and environment-friendly township by accommodating integrated bus and cycle system, battery-run three wheelers and electricity-run buses, using solar and LED lights, having a segregated solid waste management system, advanced policing system and developing a modern urban ecosystem
