With an aim to improve the lifestyle of the people of Aizawl and turn the state capital city into a smart one, the Aizawl Smart City Mission was officially launched on Monday.
The Smart City Mission was launched during a programme held at the Secretariat Conference Hall in the New Capital Complex of Aizawl.
Speaking at the inaugural programme, Dr. C. Vanlalramsanga, secretary, Urban Development & Poverty Alleviation, urged the officials concerned who were present at the function, to implement the Smart City guidelines in such a way that it can benefit the people of the Aizawl city.
Vanlalramsanga said the Smart City Mission aims at developing the lifestyle of the people and as Aizawl is the only city selected in Mizoram, he encouraged the people to set an example for other cities to follow.
As the Smart City project is being implemented over a stretch of five years, 2015-2020, Vanlalramsanga requested the officials concerned and line departments to have good cooperation and work productively.
The Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) programme uses a competition-based method to select cities for funding.
Cities compete at the state level with other cities within the state then the state-level winner competes at the national level Smart City Challenge. Cities obtaining the highest marks in a particular round are chosen to be part of the mission.
Aizawl was chosen to be part of the Smart City Mission on June 25, 2017.
The main aim of the Smart City Mission is to refine and develop the water supply and drainage systems, and facilities including street lighting, traffic, transportation, motor parking, housing, garbage disposal, to establish market centres and work on the health and education system.
Rs. 2,053.01 crore has been sanctioned for the project implementation.
A state-level high-powered committee has been formed under the leadership of the chief secretary for successful implementation of the Smart City project.
The Aizawl Smart City Limited (ASCL) board of directors has also been formed under the UD&PA secretary.
According to its website, the Smart City Mission guidelines of the Ministry of Housing And Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India, aims at developing two major components namely area-based development and pan city development.
Area-based development aims at implementing an area-based strategy wherein 24 essential features of urban system and management shall be developed, operated and managed in a comprehensive manner.
The area-based development will be implemented on a pilot area selection, which will be replicated on a city wide level in subsequent stages of implementation.
Pan city development envisages application of selected smart solutions to the existing city-wide infrastructure.
Application of smart solutions will involve the use of technology, information and data to make infrastructure and services better.