Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, today inaugurated the two-day National Workshop of Smart Cities Mission, focusing on ‘Streets & Public Spaces,’ in Srinagar. The event, organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, brought together leaders and officials from 100 Smart Cities for knowledge exchange and experiential learning through project visits to Srinagar Smart City.
Expressing his gratitude to the Ministry for selecting Srinagar as the workshop’s venue, Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha emphasised the crucial role that vibrant public spaces play in enhancing a city’s aesthetics and the quality of life for its citizens. He stressed that while infrastructure and modern amenities are vital, the presence of well-designed public spaces can bring about positive changes and solace in the lives of the citizens.
“Srinagar Smart City serves as a model for other cities across the nation, showcasing impactful pedestrian plazas and recreational spaces along the waterfronts. Its urban design of streets and public spaces truly embodies the spirit of the city,” noted the Lt. Governor.
During the inaugural session, Lt. Governor Sinha discussed several initiatives undertaken by Srinagar Smart City, such as Srinagar Square, the beautification of ghats to revive water transport, lakefront rejuvenation, heritage conservation of the Old City, and the beautification of under-utilised spaces. He emphasised that Srinagar serves as an inspiration for experts in urban development.
Underlining the commitment to strengthening core infrastructure in a planned and sustainable manner under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Lt. Governor highlighted the human-centered approach adopted in developing Srinagar Smart City. This approach incorporates elements of traditional art and culture, heritage preservation, smart facilities, smart governance, and sustainability, all geared towards enhancing the residents’ quality of life.
The Lt. Governor stressed the need to develop cities that can adapt to citizens’ evolving needs, market competition, and changing dynamics. He emphasised that cities should nurture core competencies for economic growth.
Key figures at the inaugural session included Sh Junaid Azim Mattu, Mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation; Sh Manoj Joshi, Union Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (via virtual mode); and Sh Kunal Kumar, Joint Secretary, MoHUA, who shared their insights into Srinagar city’s transformational journey.
Other notable attendees included Sh Prashant Goyal, Principal Secretary of the Housing & Urban Development Department, Jammu & Kashmir; Sh Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir; Sh Athar Amir Khan, CEO of Srinagar Smart City; Principal Secretaries from various States/Union Territories, and Urban Transformation Experts.
The National Workshop on Smart Cities Mission promises to be an invaluable platform for sharing ideas, experiences, and strategies to enhance urban development across India.
