Civic body draws plans to develop Rajkot as 'Smart City'

The Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) has devised short-term and long-term plans for the development of Rajkot as 'Smart City'.

The Smart City programme will be launched on August 15. Short term work for development of Rajkot as 'Smart City' will be completed by October 2 and while planning for long term work will be done within this time also.

"The state government has set agenda of 'Progressive Gujarat Target 100 days'. Under this, we have drawn 'Smart City' programme to gear up development of the city," said Vijay Nehra, Rajkot Municipal Commissioner.

The 'Smart City' project envisages Rajkot as a 'Sensitive, Modern, Affordable, Robust Infrastructure and Technology Driven' city in future.

Nehra said, "We want Rajkot free from slums, diseases, traffic problems, pollution, drinking water shortage and sort out other problems which stand as hurdles for the progress of the city. We are also focussing on providing better education, health care, good sanitation facility for poor people."

RMC is planning to build approximately 20,000 affordable houses under state and central government's various schemes.

The civic body is aiming to start housing projects by end of August 15, 2015 and the project details is expected to be finalized by January 26, 2015.

Nehra said, "Financial provision for all the projects to develop Rajkot as 'Smart City' has already been made. We just need to gear up for all these projects. Our priority is for health care and sanitation which we want to complete by October 2."

RMC has identified about 700 children in city who are malnourished and will be given adequate health and nutrition facility in the coming days. It will also conduct health check-ups of sanitation workers.

RMC will also focus on beautification of Rajkot. It will re-develop 'Racecourse garden', the main hub for gathering in the city. It will also develop other parks and gardens in the city under Public Private Partnership (PPP).