Parveen Arora
The project of developing Karnal as a ‘Smart City’ may get further delayed, as the proposals of many key projects are still lying in limbo.
The tender process of most of these projects has already been initiated, but these remain stalled due to several reasons. The Urban Local Bodies (ULB) Haryana has directed the authorities to re-design some of the projects.
After issuing the directions to ‘redesign’ the project of developing Mughal Canal phase-II and III market, the ULB has asked the authorities to review the proposals of other major projects, including multi-storey parking along with commercial complex at the site of the old office of Karnal Municipal Corporation (KMC) near Committee Chowk, redevelopment of old city bus stand and redevelopment of old vegetable market.
The project of developing Mughal Canal phase-II and III market was to be developed in a unique way above the podium floor at a cost of Rs225 crore. It was a dream project of the smart city initiative and the drawing was earlier approved by the ULB as well as the state government. Its tender process had already been completed. However, the work was not allotted. If the fresh process to design and develop this project is initiated, it may take around six months.
The Karnal Smart City Limited (KSCL), a special purpose vehicle (SPV) looking after the smart city project, had proposed a multi-storey at the KMC old office site, with minus two basement parking facility along with commercial complex, which was to be constructed at the cost of Rs74 crore. Rehabilitation and redevelopment of 121 existing shops at this site is a major hurdle in this project. The entry of this site is only 4.5 metre wide and it would not be possible to construct minus two basement parking, say sources. The ULB has asked the authorities to review the proposal again.
The redevelopment of the old city bus stand was to be developed in a unique way having the facilities of a plaza, elevated local bus stand, bank square building, digital library, skill centre, conference hall, science museum among others at a cost of Rs100 crore, while the old vegetable market was to be re-developed after having two basement parking of more than 200 vehicle capacity at a cost of Rs22 crore. The ULB raised some objections on this project and for the objection removal, the project will have to be passed again in the General House meeting of the KMC. Under the second phase of this project, commercial complex would be developed having banqueting facility with fun zone at an estimated cost of Rs50 crore, but the approval to this drawing was yet to be given. Now, the board of directors of the KSCL will review the concept, design and proposals of these projects again. The date of the meeting of the board of the directors is yet to be finalised.
Upcoming projects
The KSCL has allotted the work of re-development and beautification of Novelty Road from Novelty Cinema to Meera Ghati Chowk at an estimated cost of Rs2.47 crore and construction of ‘neki ki diwar’ on railway road at the cost of Rs10 lakh. The authorities claim the work on both projects would commence in a couple of days.
All government buildings falling under the area-based development (ABD) plan of the Smart City will have green energy with solar panels. The KSCL has already conducted a survey of these buildings. The Centre has allotted Rs38.45 crore for the project under the Smart City Mission funds. As many as 40 government buildings and schools selected under Smart School project have already been identified for the installation of solar rooftop within ABD area. The DPR of the project is at an advance stage.
Apart from it, the re-development and beautification of Meerut Road from Maharana Pratap Chowk to Tau Devi Lal Chowk and Maharana Pratap Chowk to Namastey Chowk will be done in the coming days. The detailed plan for laying the underground power lines has been submitted to KSCL and it has further asked the UHBVN to provide an estimate for the project. The DPR of this project is under progress for remaining components. The forest clearance has been applied. The KSCL has shortlisted three sites to create public plazas at a cost of Rs25 crore for public convenience, public recreational activities.
The delay in the commencement of the some major projects of the smart city project is leading to resentment among residents. Besides, it is giving an opportunity to opposition parties to take a jibe at the government.
Delay causing resentment
Two-and-a-half-year delay
Karnal was included in the smart cities’ list on June 23, 2017. A Special Purpose Vehicle was constituted on August 1, 2017, which later appointed the project management consultant in October 2018. As many as 57 projects, costing Rs1,171.83 crore, comprising 40 projects costing Rs1,022.08 crore have been kept under the area based development for smart amenities on 720 acres around Clock Tower Chowk, Kunjpura Road, bus stand, Model Town, and Mughal Canal market in the next five years and 17 projects worth Rs149.75 cr under PAN City Solutions.
Funds not used
Under the Smart City project, the KSCL had received around Rs103 cr grant, including Rs53 cr from the Centre, but only four major projects worth Rs12.52 cr had been completed, while Rs1.45 cr has been utilised under the office expense. Work on seven projects worth Rs20.15 cr is under way, sources said.
Projects under way
Officialspeak
‘Major development expected this year’
‘Monitoring projects on timely basis’
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