Karimnagar third time lucky

​Karimnagar: It was third time lucky for Karimnagar, third largest city in Telangana, as it joins the elite club of 90 cities that got selected so far under the Smart Cities Mission (SCM), the Centre’s flagship programme aimed at driving economic growth, improving the quality of life and harnessing technology that leads to smart outcomes.

It may be noted here that Karimnagar made surprise entry into the arena of SCM challenge. Originally, the TS government nominated Hyderabad, Warangal and Karimnagar for the SCM competition. However, after Karimnagar was eliminated, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao urged the Union Ministry of Urban Development to replace Hyderabad with it.

Although Karimnagar was included in the list competing for the Round-II selection; it failed to make it to the cut as authorities didn’t have adequate time to press their claim strongly for the SCM contest.

But for the sheer perseverance of the administration, especially local MP B Vinod Kumar, it wouldn’t have been possible for a city like Karimnagar grappling with many a civic problem succeed in its mission to get Smart City tag.

In a bid to prepare an infallible proposal, Vinod led a delegation to Indore to seek the support of its Collector Parikipandla Narahari, under whom that city is all set to become one of the best Smart Cities in the country.

The authorities, hiring ICRA Management Consulting Services Limited for the preparation of Smart City proposal, gave impetus on Area Based Development (ABD) and Pan City Solutions. The ABD which based on four themes – Economic Transformation that includes Tower Circle Rejuvenation, Recreation and Tourism Gateway that focus on Manair Riverfront Development, Reinventing Urban Mobility through development of roads, parking etc., and Provision of Universal Essential Services focusing on basic amenities and energy security and sourcing.

The Pan City Solutions of the proposal includes development of a smart, secure and eco-friendly public transportation; Development of a superior social infrastructure delivery mechanism to create healthy and talented future citizens; Provision of affordable and equitable 24x7 water supply.

“The Smart City proposal reflects the aspiration of Karimnagar people and moreover, it’s based on practical solutions,” Municipal Commissioner K Shashanka told The Hans India, from Delhi on Friday. He was in Delhi to attend a workshop where Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu announced the names of 30 cities that got selected in third round of Smart City Mission.

The city is compact with a population of close to 3.5 lakh in the Corporation limits that spread across 23.85 square kilometers, we have a task in hand to fulfill the aspirations of the denizens, he said. He said that formation of the special purpose vehicle (SPV) to handle the Smart City projects will be their next step. As per the SCM plan, each city will receive Rs 200 crore over the next five years.

It may be recalled here that the then Municipal Commissioner Krishna Bhaskar (now Rajanna-Sircilla District Collector) also strived hard for the city’s inclusion in the Round-II competition of the SCM.

Hailing the Centre’s decision, IT Minister KTR in a statement thanked Venkaiah Naidu and urged the Centre to immediately release funds to Telangana under various heads. He also stressed the need for funds for the Smart Cities by dividing Metro, Corporation, Municipality, Nagara Panchayat and Village Panchayat. KTR said it was not correct for the Centre to see all the big and small cities as equal.