Sunny Dua
From the Smart City project to lack of an effective waste-management system to the ambitious construction of modern abattoirs and handling all new departments likely to be brought under the purview of Corporation, the 75 newly elected councilors of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and almost an equal number of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) besides others elected representatives of other local bodies have a tough task ahead for them to be accomplished in a given period of time.
Once these councilors begin their work on ground it’s going to be an ‘easier said than done’ task to make Jammu as well as Srinagar clean and green cities. There are a total of 79 municipal bodies in the state of J&K out of which one each is in Srinagar and Jammu, six Municipal Councils and 71 municipal committees that went to polls very recently and elected their representatives. Traffic being first major issue for almost all corporations, councils or committees, garbage collection and its proper disposal continues to be second biggest issue that’s not found any viable solution till date.
Menace of stray animals is another Herculean task. After the intervention of state high court a cattle-pond stands identified in Nagrota area but complete infrastructure is yet to be built over it to protect animals from weather vagaries besides providing them fodder for sustenance and a veterinary doctor on ground zero for their treatment and wellbeing. Another issue of immediate concern is going to be raised level of entire Jammu city after laying layers and layers of bitumen over existing one. This has not only lowered level of houses but also that of commercial streets which one day is going to prove havoc.
Road ahead for new Mayor will also be tough as almost all residential colonies have been turned into and are fast turning into commercial hubs. This undying and undeterred practice is while putting residents seeking peaceful atmosphere into trouble, traffic mess is something another issue that chokes these colony roads just because shoppers descending into commercial hubs carved out of housing colonies. There’s absolutely no check on this practice which is putting additional burden on traffic, electricity, water, sanitation and depriving corporation of its revenue resources.
Since Jammu as well as Srinagar will be turning into two Smart Cities of J&K State, heaps litter which are common sites will have to be get rid-off. A mechanism to ensure that garbage collected directly from homes is dumped into trucks to be transported to the dumping site will have to be put in place. Both Jammu as well as Srinagar cities lack proper sewerage and drainage systems, streetlights stay non-functional in many parts and among other tasks also is an effective public transportation facility, slaughterhouses, working sewerage and treatment plants and streamlining street-vending.
The new Municipal Corporation House having new departments under its control will have to provide potable water, carpet city roads, construct modern public toilets, maintain parks, curb stray animal menace and maintain streetlights besides increase its revenue resources higher than its expenditure heads to maintain a balance. Rising level of pollution calls for introducing electric buses and other public transport system which will not only cut noise pollution but also maintain air levels to desired parameters.
Subjects like creating sports hub, Ranbir canal rejuvenation, stormwater drainage system, rooftop solar panels on public buildings, integrated public utility and public safety system besides rationalization of staff in JMC as well as SMC besides other TACs are yet to be touched and these grey areas will have to be looked after by the Corporations in days to come. Going by the principles of e-governance introduction as well as encouragement of use of online payments for electricity bills, water bills, building approvals and renewal/renovation of heritage buildings will also be prime talks ahead of newly elected councilors.
Most importantly like in every Smart City projects, JMC as well as SMC will have to conduct citizen engagements with people at each ward level to incorporate their views to shape priorities and development projects in the cities. Multiple means of communication and getting feedback – be it physical (face-to-face) or online services will have to be utilized to make the corporations completely people’s institutions where powers seem to have been decentralized. These will not only enhance effectiveness of city governance but also its service delivery.
Both Jammu as well as Srinagar cities are rich in identity and culture which also needs to be protected. Uniqueness of our cities distinguishes us from all other cities and based on some key aspects, locations or climates our industry, heritage, local culture or cuisine are also required to be protected while developing both Jammu as well as Srinagar as Smart Cities. New Houses will have to improve city signage and also induce behavioural changes in citizens through innovative measures so that all projects developed under Smart City are protected and maintained at desired levels.
Mixed land-use is another key area that has completely destroyed out housing colonies. Previous Master Plan which was framed to be implemented before 2022 was not implemented in city due to which roads remained narrow and their widening were not done. Now that a new master plan will be in place it is hoped that restrictions keeping in mind the unique architectural, historical and heritage character and significance of our buildings and places new plans will be approved. Reclamation of sidewalks, parks, plazas and commercial areas and end of plastic menace will continue to top lists of priorities for new Mayors and their teams.
Days ahead will stay testimony to the fact how effectively energy efficient street lighting will be used to illuminate city streets, how many wards will switchover to door to door municipal waste management and how police and other stakeholders will stay involved in ensuring safety and security of citizens. Good luck to the newly elected councilors!
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