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| Zoe Holling/Unsplash |
Guwahati's smart city journey began in the year 2016, when it was allotted one of the 20 slots that were opened to a nationwide competition for all cities to take part in.
However, over the last 5 years, very little moved on the smartening front, barring a few insignificant projects like drinking water vending machines, public bio-toilets and a gigantic flag post.
But The Times They're A Changin'
Since the new umm, old Chief Minister took reigns of Assam this year, its capital's smart city mission is getting back on track.
Recent announcements are heartening - a total of 17 projects have been fast tracked in Guwahati, including the riverfront project and the overhauling of its public transport system.
An amount of over INR 887 crore has been sanctioned for the same and is ready to be deployed swiftly.
Here are some details;
- Riverfront project - INR 308 crore
- Unleashing 200 Non AC, electric buses on Guwahati's streets - INR 236 crore
- An integrated traffic management system - INR 127 crore
- Buying big desilting machines - INR 30 crore
Needs More Than Just Money
Some projects among many, require more than just financing. Take the riverfront project for example. To pull that one off, important offices (Kamrup DC's, Guwahati Police Commissioner's and the Municipal Corporation Commissioner's) will have to be relocated. 😅
Good news is that new sites have been located and the shifting-facilitation process has begun.
Word On The Street
🎙 The City Surveillance Project, deploying 4,000 CCTV cams to keep an eye over the city was initiated in 2019 but didn't manage to take a single image by the time it was shelved.
🎙 Borosla beel and Deepor beel, two iconic water bodies and eco systems were to be developed but despite receiving a fund of INR 80 crore, were shelved.
🌆 However, with the new leader managing things from 2021, citizen sentiment is improving and they are hopeful that Guwahati will earn its smart city tag once again soon.