Thiruvananthapuram: The project proposals, which have emerged as the top three choices in the Smart City poll, are central business district area, Bypass-Heritage Canal Corridor Area and Medical College-General Hospital Area. The consolidation of votes for the pan city project was still not over at the time of going to print. The pan city project proposal will be based on the most important issues that bother the city’s people. In a survey conducted earlier, a majority had marked waste management as their main concern.
Of the close to 10 lakhpeople in the capital, a total of 1,12,503 votes were registered through ballots, electronic voting machines, social networking sites and apps as well as online polling. The participation of over 10 percent of the city population is one of the criteria of a winning Smart City proposal, and now Thiruvananthapuram has achieved it. The Central Business District Area, which includes Thycaud, Valiyasala, Chalai, Fort, Thampanoor, Palayam and Vazhuthacaud, got 21,394 votes. The Bypass-Heritage Canal Corridor which has 20 wards received 18,051 votes. The Medical College-General Hospital Area received 17,768 votes. The Kazhakkoottam Area received 16,406 votes, the Vizhinjam area received 15156 votes, the Outer Area Growth Corridor received 13,772 votes and the Akkulam-Veli area received 9956 votes.
The three shortlisted project proposals will now undergo further vetting by the smart city consultants and technical committee. Based on these deliberations, the development strategy will be decided. In all three areas, redevelopment and retrofitting is possible, for which up to 500 acres and 50 acres can be developed. 43,312 votes were registered through the use of ballots placed in educational institutions, office complexes and other public areas from February 10 to 13. On February 11, voting was conducted in all 100 wards using Electronic Voting Machines. 54,462 votes were cast through EVMs. There were 11,318 online votes, 1325 sms votes and 2086 WhatsApp votes.
