Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Feb 3: Minister for urban development Roshan Baig on Friday February 3 inaugurated a two-day state-level workshop on Smart Cities Mission - Karnataka, a planning and initiation meet for ICT solution at Hotel Ocean Pearl here. The workshop has been jointly organised by government of Karnataka, Mangaluru City Corporation, the World Bank and the KUIDFC.

Addressing the gathering Roshan Baig said, "We should maintain the phase of development holistically and improve the quality in infrastructure development. The government of India has initiated the development of 100-plus smart cities across the country and six cities have been selected in Karnataka under the Smart City Mission.

"Smart City is expected to improve quality of life by providing security, safety, public service and quality education. We have five years starting from 2015 to 2020 to build Smart Cities. The government has provided Rs 100 crore to each city for this project. Smart City project includes work area based planning and pan city planning to cover the wide range of sectors of the state.

"Our state's mayors and elected representatives should visit the foreign countries and get exposure about the planning of the Smart City, which will be helpful in getting an idea about the concept of Smart City. At the same time, behavioural changes of every individual plays a prominent role as people should stop polluting and open defecation should be eliminated. Toilets, drinking water facilities, provision of proper parking facilities - these are basic requirements that need to be resolved to convert a city to a Smart City," Baig said.

MLA J R Lobo said, "When the Smart City concept was first declared, every city competed and last year, 6 cities of Karnataka were chosen. There was no clarity about the requirement of Smart City and framing of detailed project report (DPR). Later guidelines were provided for the project.

"Even today there is no clear idea about the concept of Smart City among people and it is impossible to have a common idea for all the six cities declared, as they have their own ideas and also their own strength. On that basis, the project report was framed. Our focus lies within the fisheries and old port which have a vast history. Fisheries which can be called as an economic booster needs to be upgraded along with the old port. We have great responsibility not only to deliberate an action plan but also to ensure speedy implementation of the project. People support is crucial to make this successful," Lobo said.

Managing director of KUIDFC V Ponnuraj said, "Everyone is unaware about how a Smart City could be. There is no certain definition for the word Smart City as every city is smart in a unique way. Decision has to be made to understand the component requirement for the city in choosing location or so. Citizen participation has to be given prirority to know the requirements and what will be good for a citizen. Smart City is not just rolling out LEDs, upgrading transport, probably it should be sustaniable, efficient and inclusive. Whatever we plan, it should last forever and the design should be made based upon the topography, requirement and potential of the city."

MLA Mohiudin Bava, mayor Harinath, Deputy Mayor Sumithra Kariya, deputy commissioner Dr K G Jagadeesha, MUDA chairman Suresh Ballal, World Bank Task Team leader Shashank Ojha, MCC commissioner Mohammed Nazeer and others were present.

The purpose of the Karnataka Smart City Project preparation workshop is to get all the city senior management teams of selected smart cities together to brain storm for the mammoth task of implementing the Smart City projects.

Delegates from seven city corporations from Karnataka including Bengaluru, Hubballi, Davangere, Shivamogga and Tumakuru are taking part in this workshop. Experts from Korea and the World Bank will conduct sessions. Mayor, deputy mayor, commissioner of Mangaluru City Corporation and 60 corporators from the city will participate.