Cities acting ‘Smart’ to get financial aid

Vellore corporation, shortlisted for the Smart City project, has started its geo information system (GIS) mapping of all commercial and residential buildings within its limits. “The survey for GIS mapping has started and now the civic body is focused on buildings. The mapping would help us to make the tax collection process simple and also enables easy monitoring of all the buildings”, said P. Janaki Raveendram, commissioner, Vellore corporation.

We have already submitted the baseline data to the state and the resolution adopted by the council seeking funds under Smart City project. Besides strengthening existing drinking water pipelines and a system to identify leaks and arrest them is also under consideration. This plan will also be incorporated into the smart project proposal, the commissioner added. After the completion of satellite mapping updating information on road networks, water bodies and storm water channels can also be done, said an engineer with Vellore corporation.

Also in the race, Madurai corporation in its proposal has submitted Rs 1,800 crore water augmentation and drainage improvement work. “Multi-level parking proposals, bus rapid transit system and desilting of Madurai — Vaigai canal stretches are the major projects to be part of our smart city proposal”, said Madurai corporation commissioner C. Kathiravan. An integrated IT park project is also under consideration and detail project reports for all the proposals will be prepared and submitted in a phased manner, the commissioner said.

Besides strengthening and improving drinking water and drainage network, funds will be sought under smart city and other state and Centrally sponsored schemes, he added. According to municipal administration sources, cities like Madurai, Vellore and Thanjavur where there are lot of ancient temples and heritage sites are located, GIS mapping will provide an aerial view through which urban planning can be improvised. Besides urban development, GIS map will also become handy at the time of disasters and epidemic outbreaks. Chennai corporation is preparing a proposal covering civic facilities like walkways, bicycle tracks, pedestrian-friendly footpaths.