Karimnagar set for Smart City strides

 Karimnagar: Karimnagar a little late to make the grade of Smart Cities Mission (SCM) nevertheless is catching up fast to compete with Warangal which even after three years seems to be grappling with teething troubles to make strides.

Karimnagar which in fact faced elimination in the initial SCM challenge is lucky to be promoted by the State government in lieu of Hyderabad. However, its name was included in the Round-II race; it failed to make it to the SCM list. Later, it was third time lucky for Karimnagar city, third largest city in the State.

The theme to develop Karimnagar into a major commercial and tourism hub in northern Telangana facilitated through digital transformation of city life is visualised on Area Based Development (ABD) estimated at a cost of Rs 1,410 crore and Pan City Solutions with an outlay of Rs 468 crore.

The ABD which based on four themes – Economic Transformation that includes tower circle rejuvenation and economic revitalisation; Recreation and Tourism Gateway that focus on Manair riverfront development; Reinventing Urban Mobility through intelligent, green and integrated mobility; 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.

Against this backdrop, the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) formed for Smart City project is gearing for the launch of phase–1 works, consisting of three components - Solar Roof Tops, Green Promenade at Circus Ground and Integrated Road Redesign (35 km).

The project management consultant, Aarvee Associates in JV with Price Waterhouse Coopers Private Limited, had already prepared the ‘request for proposal’ (RFP) for the Solar Roof Tops project, according to SPV officials. The preparation of RFP for other two components is almost finished, it’s learnt. The SPV is expected to call for tenders at any time before the end of April, the officials said.

Speaking to The Hans India, the Karimnagar Municipal Corporation (KMC) Commissioner K Shashank said: “The Central government had released Rs 18 crore for the 2017-18 financial year and we are supposed to get Rs 100 crore under 2018-19. This apart, matching grant will be given by the State government for the Smart City Project.” It’s learnt that unless the tenders are called for, the Centre will not release funds.

On the other hand, Warangal Smart City Project works are yet to pick up the pace this despite the sanction of Rs 295 Central funds and Rs 200 crore from the State. It may be noted here that Warangal clinched a spot in the Smart Cities Mission list in 2016.