Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Apr 26: In a decision to avoid any kind of regional divide in Jammu and Kashmir that presently was being witnessed on the issue of AIIMS, the Central Government has given nod to construction of four Smart Cities in the State—two each in Jammu and Kashmir divisions but with some riders that the State Government had to initiate various reforms in the Urban sector, which were pending for the past quite some time.
The Urban Development Ministry of the Government of India headed by M Vankiah Naidu has cleared the proposal for four Smart Cities—Jammu and Katra in Jammu region and Srinagar and Anantnag in Kashmir division, official sources told the Excelsior.
Leh and Kargil in Ladakh region didn’t fulfill the criteria of 10 lakh population proposed by the Centre for construction of 100 Smart Cities in the country. Katra and Anantnag too didn’t fall under this category but the norms were likely to be relaxed for them in view of their importance as major pilgrim towns.
“A proposal for the Smart Cities was forwarded to the Centre in January during Governor’s Rule,’’ sources said, adding that Naidu has called the Urban Development Minister and officials from the State for talks on the Smart Cities next month before giving the Centre’s formal approval.
According to sources, the Centre has proposed 75:25 funding pattern ratio for the Smart Cities i.e. the Government of India would bear 75 per cent of the total expenditure while the State Government will have to contribute remaining 25 per cent funds. Total amount to be incurred on each Smart City is being worked out.
While Jammu and Srinagar were rotational capital cities of Jammu and Kashmir, Katra and Anantnag received large number of pilgrim tourists. Nearly one crore pilgrims visit Katra town, the base camp of holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi ji before undertaking the pilgrimage, in Reasi district, five to six lakh pilgrims visit Amarnath ji cave shrine during about two months long yatra.
However, according to sources, the Central Government has also put some riders for grant-in-aid for four Smart Cities.
The riders included approval of Master Plan in all the Cities to be constructed as Smart Cities, introduction of Property Tax and allowing foreign or Indian companies to acquire land for the purpose among others.
“The work on Smart Cities would start only after all these issues are settled,’’ sources said. While Master Plan for Jammu has been finalized and put in public domain for objections, the Master Plan for Srinagar is being finalized. The implementation of Property Tax could be the major problem for PDP-BJP coalition Government, which wouldn’t like to burden the people on its own but leave the issue to Municipal Corporations. It may be mentioned here that previous NC-Congress coalition Government had also tried to impose Property Tax twice in the State by bringing in the legislations but couldn’t get the bills passed in the Legislature.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced construction of 100 Smart Cities in the country and invited names of the Cities from all the States after laying down the criteria.
In proposed Smart Cities, in case of heavy traffics, routes will be automatically diverted while to reduce traffic on roads, there will be improvement in existing public transport system.
In case of accident or fault in a vehicle, people will get help in just one call. They will get help through CCTV too. On the lines of London’s Smart Traffic System, people will get the information regarding heavy traffic in advance. At present, Bangalore has this system, sources said.
Another prime feature of Smart City projects will be Data Centre. It will hold information about every Smart City. On the lines of Paris, the Smart City will have Face Identification System in place to catch criminals. The photos and DNA of criminals and suspects will be entered in computer and information will also be shared with other cities. After the scanning face, an alert message will be sent to police control room and this message will be forwarded to nearest police station so criminals can be nabbed easily. This system will help in controlling the crime.
There will be an integrated control room for crime, health, services and traffic for better co-ordination to provide quick help to people.
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