Centre approves Rs 526 crore Smart City proposal for Kavaratti

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Union urban development ministry has approved Rs 526 crore proposal for Smart City development program of Kavaratti in Lakshadweep. The proposal was forwarded by Centre for Environment and Development (CED) at Kerala capital here.
"With an aim to develop Kavaratti, the capital city of Union territory of Lakshadweep, a Smart City proposal was submitted to the Union Ministry of Urban Development and it is approved. At a total project cost comes to Rs.526.61 Crore, the Smart City Proposal looks at development of health care, high speed internet connectivity, better education, eco-friendly renewable energy development among others,” CED executive director Babu Ambatt said. CED is a nodal Centre of Excellence under the Union Ministry of Urban Development.
Currently, there are no speciality services for medical treatment at Kavaratti. About 160 medical evacuation take place a year to the main land for giving special treatments to the people in Kavaratti. Then High Speed internet connectivity to offer smart services to citizens and for better administration of Kavaratti. Now the connectivity to the main land and Island to Island is very poor. Improvement of this connectivity is also included in the proposal, he said.
Next will be to ensure the availability of potable water. Now water supply to the Island is ensured through a one lakh Litre capacity desalination plant. This meets only nine litres per capita daily (LPCD). Improvement of potable water supply through pipe line network is also included in the proposal. Reduction of diesel power generation by implementing Renewable source of energy through Solar Power, Waste management, Improvement of Tourism facilities, Improvement of smart Education by providing Smart class rooms to all schools in the Island, encouraging sports, providing Smart Bicycles and Electrical vehicles for citizens movements and total beautification of the city form part of the project proposal, CED officials said.
Kavaratti Island is about 6km in length and its breadth is 1.5kms at widest point. It is the third largest inhabited island with land area of 4.22 sq.km. The Island is governed by a Village Panchayat with 11 ward members. The entire city possess uniform character, culture and tradition. There exists a cohesive bonding amongst all citizens, hospitality and is known for zero crime rate, all of which are great enablers for adaptation and transformation requirements in achieving Smart City goals, the officials indicate.