Smart City tag will power growth engines in Fbad; Oppn sceptical

Bijendra Ahlawat

Tribune News Service

Faridabad, August 27

Residents of the city have reason to cheer as Faridabad has been selected for the smart city project.

However, there is a section that believes that it was still a herculean task given the hurdles.

Describing it a red letter day, Union Minister of State for Justice and Empowerment, Krishan Pal Gurjar said that Faridabad had got its due. “The city had been cold shouldered till last year though it had all features to deserve the tag,” he added.

DC Amit Aggarwal, who is holding the additional charge of MCF Commissioner, said that the city had earned maximum points in the norms chart which included population, power supply, transport, Metro rail, rail network, economy and industry.

“The smart tag will completely transform the city,” says Navdeep Chawla of the Faridabad Industries Association.

A host to the world famous International Craft Mela at Surajkund , the city has the potential of aiming even higher on account of Badkhal Lake and Aravallis. We are more than happy as the city has all growth engines and will get some more if the project goes well,” said Ashok Kumar Arora, the outgoing Mayor.

Hailing the move, Archana Sharma, a local resident, said that it was long overdue and a welcome step.

However, the demand of 300 MLD of drinking water daily was still short by over 100 MLD. “The demand will be met by the end of this year after completion of the Ranneywell Water Scheme, claims Xen Ramesh Bansal, MCF.

Over 50 colonies were still without sewerage, revealed SDO Radhey Shyam.

With sewerage water treatment and solid waste management an issue of concern, the officials admit that there was still no recycling plant. The fact that over 3 lakh people were living in slums and unauthorised colonies was a cause of concern.

“The cleanliness drive launched last year has failed miserably as disposal of garbage and waste was still in a mess, claimed Vikas Chaudhary a Congress leader. He said that the smart city drive could also go flat in view of the ‘poor show’ by the ruling BJP government so far.

Vishnu Gupta, a BJP leader, claimed that the move will give a clear edge to the party in the upcoming panchayat and local bodies polls as it was a major achievement.