‘More funds needed to make Ludhiana smart city’

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 28

The state government proposed a budgetary provision of Rs 810 crore for three cities, including Ludhiana, Amritsar and Jalandhar, under smart city mission. However, one of the directors for Ludhiana Smart City Limited (LSCL) stated that there more funds were required for making cities smart.

The government has proposed a budgetary provision of Rs 810 crore for three cities under the smart cities mission 2020-21.

Chairman, Indian Institute of Architects (Punjab Chapter)-cum-director, Ludhiana Smart City Limited, Sanjay Goel, said, “Allocating Rs 810 crore for three upcoming smart cities of Punjab, including Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar is a good step, if not an excellent one. Upcoming smart cities proposed by the Centre government need more money. The remaining leading cities of Punjab too must be converted into smart cities. ”

A city resident, Satish Kumar, said, “The authorities should ensure public participation for planning smart city projects. Instead of focusing on only few selected parts of the city, the authorities concerned should pay attention towards other areas too.”

Rs 104 cr for Ludhiana

With special emphasis on meeting the challenges of bad air quality, ground water depletion and sanitation issues, the state government has proposed an allocation of Rs104 crore for Ludhiana.