EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dr Ravi Gupta EDITORIAL TEAM: DELHI/NCR Senior Assistant Editors: Souvik Goswami, Gautam Debroy Assistant Editors: Sandeep Datta, Priyanka Sharma, Gopi Krishna Arora Senior Correspondent: Akash Tomer Correspondents: Rashi Aditi Ghosh, Rajbala, Dipen Pradhan LUCKNOW BUREAU Assistant Editor: Arpit Gupta BENGALURU BUREAU Associate Editor: T Radha Krishna MUMBAI BUREAU Senior Assistant Editor: Kartik Sharma Senior Correspondents: Poulami Chakraborty, Rakesh Kumar Roy Correspondent: Harshal Yashwant Desai JAIPUR BUREAU Senior Assistant Editor: Kartik Sharma CHANDIGARH BUREAU Assistant Editor: Priya Yadav
Founded in 2005, eGov magazine is published in both print and online formats. Innovative use of ICT in Governance is at the heart of our all eGov initiatives.
HYDERABAD BUREAU Assistant Editor: Sudheer Goutham B AMARAVATI BUREAU Correspondent: Mohammad Akbar Basha AHMEDABAD BUREAU Assistant Editor: Hemangini S Rajput BHUBANESWAR BUREAU Senior Correspondent: Biswajit Sahoo RAIPUR BUREAU Correspondent: Susmriti Sahu BHOPAL BUREAU Senior Correspondent: Divakar Mukherjee SALES & MARKETING Pushp Kumar Singh, Sumit Rana, Srishty Dhingra, Rajeev Singh Negi, Anuj Kumar, Nikhil Lakhera, Mohammed Rashid Farooqui, Tarik Aziz, Neha Dwivedi, Abhishek Kumar Singh Tomar
TV
tv.eletsonline.com
SUBSCRIPTION & CIRCULATION TEAM Manager, Subscription: +91-8860635832, subscription@elets.in DESIGN TEAM Creative Head: Anjan Dey Deputy Art Directors: Om Prakash Thakur, Gopal Thakur Shyam Kishore ADMINISTRATION Director: Archana Jaiswal EDITORIAL & MARKETING CORRESPONDENCE
Smart City Summit
PSU Summit
Dr Jitendra Singh
Vishnu Deo Sai
11th eINDIA
Urban Development Summit
Union Minister of State for Law and Justice; and Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India
Minister for IT, Municipal Administration & Urban Development, Government of Telangana
Minister of State (Independent Charge) DoNER, PMO, Government of India
Minister of State for Steel, Government of India
eGov – Elets Technomedia Pvt Ltd: Stellar IT Park Office No: 7A/7B, 5th Floor, Annexe Building, C-25, Sector-62, Noida, Uttar Pradesh - 201301, Phone: +91-120-4812600, Fax: +91-120-4812660 Email: info@elets.in Owner, Publisher, Printer - Dr Ravi Gupta, Printed at Vinayak Print Media, D - 249, Sector-63, Noida 201 307. Uttar Pradesh and published from 710, Vasto Mahagun Manor, F-30 Sector-50, Noida, Uttar Pradesh © All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic and mechanical, including photocopy, or any information storage or retrieval system, without publisher’s permission.
Our Publications and Initiatives
P P Chaudhary
K T Rama Rao
Send your feedback about our interviews, features, articles, and news. You can either comment on the webpage of the stories, or mail at editorial@elets.in
Editorial Mizoram Set to Emerge on India’s Smart Cities Landscape With new ruling combines coming to the fore to bring the much-needed change in Tripura, Meghalaya, and Nagaland recently, all eyes are on the northeast region of India. Mizoram being one of the seven sister States is drawing attention for its endeavour to bring a holistic change.
MAGAZINE It compiles ICT-related advancements being introduced, exercised by various government organisations via eGovernance module.
NEWS
Dealing with various key developments and policy-related decisions that define Indian governance style at large, this section throws light on the most important aspects.
WEBSITE With a reach of sixty lakhs, the website is pushing the Digital India campaign of the Government of India. It highlights various dimensions of anything and everything related to the changing trends of governance in India .
EVENT REPORTS
This segment narrates the discussions and deliberations of participants at the occasional conferences held nationally or internationally.
CASE STUDIES It deals with in-depth detail of various projects being implemented in any part of the country, worth inspiring others in providing solutions.
VIDEOS The youtube channel ‘EletsTv’ deals with live recorded versions of techexperts and key decision makers who participate in key debates or discussion of Elets knowledge conferences.
INTERVIEWS This section highlights various stakeholders, bureaucrats and policy makers influencing governance in the country.
As various States are vying each other in adapting innovative practices to develop smart cities, Mizoram doesn’t wish to lag behind. Such a sentiment is driving the State machinery of Mizoram to develop its capital city as the smartest city. Today, Aizawl is gearing up to emerge as the gateway to Mizoram and India’s northeast as well. The entire government administration is unitedly working for transformation in this hilly State. Our latest issue is an attempt to explore and highlight how this city is preparing itself to emerge as a Smart City. Powered by the Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Department (UD&PA), Government of Mizoram seems to be in no mood to leave any stone remain unturned to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s favourite dream of developing Smart Cities. Our cover story “Smart Aizawl to Elevate Mizoram’s Identity” ponders the development the UD&PA department is doing in Mizoram. This magazine issue carries special messages of Mizoram’s Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Minister Zodintluanga, and Minister of Finance Lalsawta. In a special interview Zodintluanga has shared his vision for the urban development of Mizoram. There is a system of high-level reviews of important infrastructures projects in the North East to which the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) is also a part. Naveen Verma, Secretary, DoNER, Government of India, in an interview has talked about the various initiatives his ministry is undertaking. Dr C Vanlalramsanga, Secretary, UD&PA Department, Government of Mizoram, Vanlalmawia Renthlei, Joint Secretary, UD&PA Department, Dr H Lalthlangliana, Commissioner, Aizawl Municipal Corporation, Captain Rahul Bali, Managing Director, Innovations India have also shared their thoughts on the ongoing development in the State. From other Northeastern States, Dr Tohimanen Ozukum, Head of the Department, Directorate of Municipal Affairs, Government of Nagaland; Udai Chandra Rai,Chairman, Namchi Municipal Council, Government of Sikkim and Navin Rai, Joint Chief Town Planner, Nodal Officer-Smart Cities Mission, Urban Development and Housing Department, Government of Sikkim have also shared the trajectory of growth in their respective States. Our special report titled “Smart Cities Set to Elevate Life in Northeast India” throws light on the development path of other northeastern States. Professor Jagan Shah, Director, National Institute of Urban Affairs, Arun Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary, Department of Urban Development, Government of Jharkhand, have also shared the urban development stories. In a Special Feature, we have touched upon how the recent UP Investors Summit paved the way for Rs 4.28 lakh crore investment. We have also featured conference report of Smart City Summit, Aligarh organised by Municipal Corporation of Aligarh in association with Elets Technomedia. With a host of interviews, articles, and special features, we hope out latest issue will interest our readers and invite their invaluable feedback.
DR RAVI GUPTA Editor-in-Chief, egov magazine, and CEO, Elets Technomedia Pvt Ltd
CONTENTS
42 UDAI CHANDRA RAI
MARCH 2018 | Volume 14 | Issue 03
Chairman, Namchi Municipal Council, Government of Sikkim
46 NAVIN RAI Joint Chief Town Planner, Nodal Officer- Smart Cities Mission, Urban Development and Housing Department Government of Sikkim
52 ARUN KUMAR SINGH
10 COVER STORY
Principal Secretary, Urban Development and Housing Department Government of Jharkhand
SMART AIZAWL TO ELEVATE MIZORAM’S IDENTITY
INTERVIEWS 16
Urban Development: Issues, Challenges and Initiatives in Mizoram
30
Mizoram on India’s Road to Become Cleanest
14 NAVEEN VERMA 20 ZODINTLUANGA 22 DR C Secretary, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Government of India
Minister, Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Department Government of Mizoram
VANLALRAMSANGA
24 VANLALMAWIA RENTHLEI
Secretary, Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Department Government of Mizoram
Joint Secretary, Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Department Government of Mizoram
32
Biate the Cleanest Town of Mizoram
44
Smart Cities Set to Elevate Life in Northeast India
48
26 DR H LALTHLANGLIANA Commissioner, Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC)
6
MARCH 2018
28 VALBUANGA Programme Director, State Investment Programme Management and Implementation Unit (SIPMIU), Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Department (UD&PAD) Aizawl, Government of Mizoram
37 PROFESSOR JAGAN SHAH
40 DR TOHIMANEN OZUKUM
Director, National Institute of Urban Affairs
Head of the Department, Directorate of Municipal Affairs Government of Nagaland
[ egov.eletsonline.com ] The Largest Portal on e-Governance in Asia and the Middle East
UP Investors Summit Paves Way for Rs 4.28 lakh crore of Investment
57 l CONFERENCE REPORT
Smart City Aligarh
Special Souvenir
COVER STORY
With a lot of cities in the country vying each other developing as a Smart City, Aizawl doesn’t wish to lag behind. Such a sentiment seems to be deriving the State machinery of Mizoram to develop this capital city as the Smartest City of all, observes Ritika Srivastava of Elets News Network (ENN).
SMART AIZAWL TO ELEVATE MIZORAM’S IDENTITY 10
MARCH 2018
[ egov.eletsonline.com ] The Largest Portal on e-Governance in Asia and the Middle East
COVER STORY
T
he Government of Mizoram, powered by Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Department (UD&PAD) , is leaving no stone unturned to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s favourite dream of developing smart cities in the country. Aizawl is one of the 100 shortlisted cities in the Smart Cities Mission. It’s putting in every possible effort to make Digital India a success. Mizoram already has e-governance domain and State Wide Area Network, State Data Centre, Common Service Centre for a delivery channel, and is developing G2C and G2G services for common man’s easy accessibility.
The City at a Glance Situated along a ridge, Aizawl is a hill town. Besides its breathtaking beauty, it is the centre of administration containing all important Government offices, State Assembly House and Civil Secretariat. The local population strongly reflects different communities of the ethnic Mizo People where they maintain a peaceful co-existence. Its strategic location, pleasant climate, hilly topography and enchanting landscape along with high concentration of Government amenities and facilities has attracted many people from its nearby villages, turning it into a city of 2.6 lakh people. The economy of Aizawl is basically sustained by government services as it is capital of Mizoram. Major banks are located within Aizawl, which is about 30 km from Lengpui Aiport. The airport provides connectivity to Kolkata Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Guwahati Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi
International Airport and Imphal International Airport. In Swachh Survekshan 2017, Aizawl was ranked 105th among the 434 cities. Mizoram State has 92 per cent literacy rate.
active steps since it started its project of e-governance, as a result of which a number of e-services have been launched, much to the ease and convenience of the people.
Mizoram Taxation department has extended its e-services by enabling payment of tax through the Internet, leaving behind the tradition of making long queue to pay taxes since 2014. By availing the convenient e-payment facility, people can now pay their taxes through Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI).
At the moment, the State Government through ICT department has put in hard work to ensure success in fulfilling the Prime Minister’s vision of Digital India. The State already has an e-governance domain and State Wide Area Network, State Data Centre, Common Service Centre for a delivery channel, and is developing G2C and G2G services for common man’s easy accessibility.
The Taxation Department has taken
Connect with us on
egovonline
@egovonline
egov magazine
MARCH 2018
11
COVER STORY
Apart from Bharat Net project, the State has taken steps to improve internet connectivity for all Government departments in districts through a wireless system under the State Government’s flagship programme New Economic Development Policy (NEDP). Furthermore, the department has completed application development of Content Management System (CMS) for all government websites, Online Water Billing, Online Power Billing, Inventory Management System, Online Property Return System, Online Leave Application. The State Government of Mizoram has extended its horizon by introducing ‘IT Education Programme for 100 Schools’ and ‘Interactive Digital Classroom for Development of Science and Mathematics’. Under Skills Development programme, IT has been introduced at the high school level. Mizoram has also mandated IT proficiency for all recruitments under the State Government wherein Course on Computer Concept (CCC) is the minimum prescribed. So, in near future, all State government employees will turn IT literate. “The influence of e-governance in a small State with high literacy like Mizoram has been tremendous,” says Dr C
12
MARCH 2018
“The Government of Mizoram, powered by Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Department (UD&PAD), is leaving no stone unturned to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s favourite dream of developing smart cities in the country.” Vanlalramsanga, Secretary, Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Department, Government of Mizoram. “However, we will need credible, reliable and flawless internet connectivity to effectively implement e-governance in the State to be able to transform public administration in a very significant manner.”
The Government of Mizoram has a dedicated ICT Department to closely monitor the growth of ICT projects in the State. The ICT Department has set up the State Data Centre for data security, and they are also proposing to set up Cyber Security Centre.
Solar project in Aizawl Mizoram’s Solar Power Project Approval Committee (SPPAC) has approved the proposal for setting up of a 20 MW solar park. The project will be implemented by the State power and electricity department and Zoram Energy Development Agency (ZEDA). A meeting chaired by Secretary for Power and Electricity H Lalengmawia discussed wide ranging issues concerning generation of power through solar energy recently. The Solar Power Policy of Mizoram, 2017 envisaged all government office buildings should harness solar energy in their building premises.
[ egov.eletsonline.com ] The Largest Portal on e-Governance in Asia and the Middle East
COVER STORY
Mizoram Joins Uday Mizoram has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central Government to improve the power distribution in the State last year. The MoU was signed under the scheme Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY), making it the 27th state to join the UDAY scheme which is meant for revival of debt-stressed discoms. Mizoram is expected to earn Rs 198 crores by opting to participate in UDAY, by way of cheaper funds, reduction in Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses and transmission losses, interventions in energy efficiency, etc during the period of turnaround. The reduction in AT&C losses and transmission losses to 15 per cent and 2.50 per cent respectively is likely to bring additional revenue of around Rs 166 crores during the period of turnaround. The reduction in AT&C losses and transmission losses to 15 per cent and 2.50 per cent respectively is likely to bring additional revenue of around Rs 166 crore during the period of turnaround.
MAJOR PROJECTS IN AIZAWL: • Zodin Smart (Robotic) Multi Level Car Parking at Aizawl, Mizoram • Mizoram State Convention Centre • Smart Water Metering • 4. Septage Management Plant at Aizawl • Solid Waste Management Centre at Aizawl
The Central Government will provide incentives to the State Government for improving power infrastructure in the State and for further lowering the cost of power. The ultimate benefit of signing the MoU would go to the people of Mizoram. Reduced levels of transmission and AT&C losses would mean lesser cost per unit of electricity to consumers. The scheme would also allow speedy availability of cheaper power to 22,007 households in the State that are still without electricity.
Connect with us on
egovonline
@egovonline
egov magazine
Road Infrastructure The Indian government has partnered with the the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for Phase I of the North East Road Network Connectivity Improvement Project. JICA will give an aid of Rs 4,000 crore to improve the connectivity in the northeast by constructing national highways and bridges. Modern slope protection technologies will be used in the project to address the problem of landslides in the northeast. In the first phase of the project, NH-54 and NH-51 in Mizoram and Meghalaya will be developed. NH-54 is located in central Mizoram and the stretch of the targeted section of NH-54 is from Aizawl to Tuipang in Mizoram stretching to 350km. The improvement of NH-54 would enhance the connectivity of the Kaladan Multi Modal Transport Corridor, which connects the northeastern states with the rest of India through Myanmar by roads, inland water transport and marine transport. National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways will complete this project.
MARCH 2018
13
MINISTRY OF DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION PERSPECTIVE
DoNER Accelerating the Socio-Economic Development of North East Region There is a system of high-level reviews of important infrastructures projects in the North East to which the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) is also a part. The department conducts coordination meetings at various levels, says Naveen Verma, Secretary, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Government of India in conversation with Gautam Debroy of Elets News Network (ENN).
Naveen Verma
Secretary Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Government of India
“The Barak waterway is on board now. Once it becomes operational, the easier it will become for the people of Assam to commute because they will have the opition of taking the Brahmaputra route and the Barak route.� 14
MARCH 2018
What steps have been taken to ensure an inclusive development of the North East? The Ministry of Development of North East Region is a coordinating ministry. We have taken several initiatives for an inclusive growth of the Northeastern states. One of the recent initiatives have been the setting up of inter-ministerial committee because we found that people are working in isolation whereas more synergies towards the same effort will deliver better results. We have started an inter-ministerial committee on ayurvedic and medicinal plants which will be chaired by Secretary DoNER
and Secretary of the AYUSH Department. We plan to take all the stakeholders together on one platform so that maximum benefit can be derived. We have groups on roads, tourism etc also. So our core job is of coordination. We are also trying to bring the North East Council (NEC) and the DoNER Ministry together into an institutional sector arrangement. We are also proposing that for education, primary and secondary education will come to DoNER and all other issues pertaining to education will go to NEC. Similarly, all tertiary healthcare issues
[ egov.eletsonline.com ] The Largest Portal on e-Governance in Asia and the Middle East
MINISTRY OF DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION PERSPECTIVE
will go to NEC and others will come to us. We have a North East Venture Capital Fund. We expect more people to apply for that.
What initiatives are you taking to streamline the distribution of funds to the State Governments? We have changed the entire guidelines now. According to the earlier guidelines, 40 per cent of the amount was given at the time of the sanction. Now at the time of sanction, only Rs 10 lakh is given, and a bigger amount is given later. Earlier, projects use to remain pending for 5-10 years. It is now reduced to six months. Now money is released once the work starts on the project. We have also started the monitoring of projects. We also have digitised many operations. The speed of the case disposal has increased. We have created an e-office here. All the data is available online. It is very easy to track the documents. All the old files have been digitised. No documents are lost now. States have been very cooperative in all our initiatives. Priority is also given to online projects. Also, we have issued fresh guidelines that after release of Rs 10 lakhs, if the work order doesn’t start, we will cancel the funding. Earlier, Detailed Project Report (DPR) use to come from the State Government. Now, we have digitised it. The slogan of ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance’ is being implemented. The entire exercise has been handed over to the Chief Secretary. This has brought the system into a tight loop and ensured timebound disposal.
What is your take on the infrastructure and communication network in the North East? What initiatives DoNER is taking in this direction?
There is a system of high-level reviews of important infrastructures projects in the North East to which we are a part. We do the coordination meeting at various levels. We do keep a tab on all the happenings. We don’t look after the roads which come under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). We have a new scheme in the road sector called North Eastern Road Development Scheme (NERDS), which is meant for inter-state roads, usually called the ‘orphan roads’ and we are developing them. Three roads are under construction and we are looking to build more projects.
which is going to connect IndiaBangladesh. We are funding the Indian side of the project and the other side is being funded by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The project is not seamlessly on broad gauge. The line in Bangladesh is both meter and the broad gauge, at some stages. The more linkages we have with the other neighbouring countries, the better it is. The Barak waterway is on board now. Once it becomes operational, it will be easier for the people of Assam to commute because they will have the option of taking the Brahmaputra route and the Barak route. The Indian side of the work is already in progress. Both the countries are in close coordination to complete this project.
What challenges are you facing for implementing the projects?
What is your perception about the railway connectivity of the North East? The investment by Railways has increased manifold in the North East. The construction of railway line to Sairang near Aizawl and near Imphal in Manipur is in full swing. In the next two years, the projects will be completed. The line to Sabroom is being made in Agartala. Some more lines are being constructed. The broad gauge network has touched the entire North East. The Pakyong Airport in Sikkim is already complete. With the Udan scheme in place, all the non-operational and under construction airports will become functional. In fact, Assam is one of the States with the highest number of airports in the country.
Please brief about the Akhaura Agartala railway line project
Connect with us on
egovonline
@egovonline
egov magazine
The main challenge is of mindset and perceptions. People from various parts of India have never visited North East. The challenge is to increase the tourism beyond Guwahati. The same is for investment and for that we are trying to hold various events to create awareness about the growing opportunities there. People in the country must know about the beautiful seven sister States. The North East Tourism Council should build specific packages according to nature, wildlife, adventure etc. I always request people to go to North East and do their meetings. Every capital city boasts of good hotels which should be utilised. The second challenge is of the bankers. They are scared of giving funds to the first generation of entrepreneurs. People of North East are risk lovers. Banks are generally very hesitant to give loans in the north eastern region. Access to the credit should be provided to the people for the economic growth of the region.
MARCH 2018
15
URBAN DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE FROM MIZORAM
Urban Development: Issues, Challenges and Initiatives in Mizoram It is not long since Mizoram has taken and accepted urban issues as a real challenge. Although we are still way behind compared to advanced cities in the country and abroad, the State has taken its initiatives towards urban transformation, planning and rejuvenation by implementing various central flagship missions and State projects, writes Joseph H Lalramsanga, Director, Urban development & Poverty Alleviation Department (UD&PA), Government of Mizoram, for Elets News Network (ENN).
T
he UD&PA was created in the year 2006-2007. The department has been mandated to implement various schemes and programmes on urban development, housing and urban poverty alleviation of the Central Government and the State Government.
16
MARCH 2018
There are five district offices under it. These district offices which look after matters relating to urban development are also instrumental in implementing various State and Central programmes such as Housing for All, Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM), New Land Use Policy (NLUP) etc.
Joseph H Lalramsanga
Director, Urban development & Poverty Alleviation Department (UD&PA), Government of Mizoram
Mizoram has taken initiatives to have smart, clean and flourishing city and urban towns. The UD&PA plays an active role and is gearing all urban development initiatives in the State. Issues on urban development can be categorised into the following: l Urban Infrastructure: A city cannot
[ egov.eletsonline.com ] The Largest Portal on e-Governance in Asia and the Middle East
URBAN DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE FROM MIZORAM
withstands the growing population unless it is well established in the form of infrastructure, which does not mean huge constructions and introduction of high-tech facilities only. The main motive of urban development policy is to have an access to clean water, proper sewage treatment, power, housing, transportation, communication and livelihood for every urban household. After having established all these basic amenities, there still is a long way to achieve sustainable urban development. l Urban Sanitation: Enormous increase in population and urbanisation has led to an increase in urban waste. These without proper management and treatment can hamper the urban health and can become an obstacle for the growth of the city. This requires an infrastructure, scientific treatment of waste as well as an awareness among the urbanites as cleanliness can only be achieved through people’s participation and is a contribution everyone has to make. l Urban Transport: When a city becomes prosperous, there is an increase in buying capacity and purchasing power which in turn affects an increase in assets. There is an increase in business centres, various urban constructions and moveable assets like public and private vehicles to make our living easier. As a result, the city becomes congested without proper planning in urban transport. A city administration has to keep in mind building regulations, improved traffic management system, enforcement of laws and introduction of non motorised transport and improvement of public transport system. l Urban Housing: Rural-urban immigration is one of the main
reasons for the needs of housing in urban areas. People from rural areas migrate to urban region for better and easier access to livelihood. However, due to vulnerability in their mode of living, sustainable and secured living cannot be easily attained by these vulnerable groups. This leads to occurrence of shortage of housing and is a great challenge for urban administration and authorities. l Urban Economy: Urban economy is based on the capacity of cities to mobilise its resources. In urban areas, there is higher mobilisation of resources to enhance economy, better resources and opportunities are many. If these opportunities are captured and mobilised systematically, it affects the whole economy of the State as well. However, competition does not only arise among the haves but also among the haves-not too. These vulnerable groups constitute not less than 25 per cent of urban population and their issues should not be neglected in urban planning. There
Connect with us on
egovonline
@egovonline
egov magazine
should always be a plan for all the stakeholders ensuring security for all. There should always be reliable and practicable setup for lower income groups like urban vendors who play a very important role in urban economy. l Urban Safety: When we dreamt of a beautiful, developed and self sustained city, we may be dreaming a city with fancy cars in the glittering streets, mega business centres, a city with no or less unemployment problems, advanced and technology based public transportation and a cheerful urbanites living in it, but all these dreams are incomplete without security. The people should feel safe and contented to be productive and resourceful. This safety should focus on vulnerable groups especially women, children and youths. The municipal administration and the State administration should not neglect the security of its people, security in terms of employment/ livelihood, housing, access to basic amenities and education. Keeping in mind the above mentioned
MARCH 2018
17
URBAN DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE FROM MIZORAM
issues in urban administration, Mizoram has taken its initiatives to have smart, clean and flourishing city and urban towns. The UD&PA plays an active role and is gearing all urban development initiatives in Mizoram. Since water is the one of the most important necessity among basic amenities and is the main priority to be taken up under AMRUT project, Aizawl has encountered various challenges to get clean water. Due to its steep terrain, distribution system of drinking water in the city is quite a challenge. However, in order to ensure access to clean water to every household in the city, the department is focussing on improvement of various distribution pipelines, strengthening of line department, infrastructure development and repairing/replacement of existing pipelines under AMRUT. The Department of UD&PA is also giving its effort in Aizawl to have a clean and safe environment, as one of its initiatives Sewerage and Septage Management is executed under AMRUT. With this technology, the existing conventional septic tank will be replaced by introducing bio–digester. It is a technology innovated by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is a great way of promoting water reuses and recycles. This bio– digester requires smaller space and does not require soak pit. Therefore, it is more economical and eco–friendly. Anaerobic Microbial Inoculums (AMI) manufacturing facility has been set up to culture the mother bacteria and reproduce it. Every household in the city would be able to utilise this facility as this unit has already started culturing the bacteria. The UD&PD under AMRUT is creating green space and parks at the possible sites in the city for recreational purposes. These would serve the needs of free space and peaceful environment for the citizens, especially the children and the
18
MARCH 2018
youth. These would also serve as environmental protection site and recreational site wherein people in the city would refresh their physical and mental being. The department is initiating and promoting Non Motorised Transport in Aizawl for which a transport masterplan was designed by iTrans. Mizoram is rendering its effort through district administration and local administrative authorities to achieve the Open Defecation Free (ODF) status as early as the end of next financial year. As
of now, there are 16 urban towns and cities out of 23 urban towns had achieved ODF status. Long before Swachh Bharat Mission was launched in our country, cleanliness week has been observed since 1970 in Mizoram. One of the main issues and challenges urban areas have encountered is needs of shelter by urban poor, the land holding pattern etc. In rural areas, there is flexible and easier way of land holding system which can be practised by local self government and the cost of land does not affect much even the weaker sections
[ egov.eletsonline.com ] The Largest Portal on e-Governance in Asia and the Middle East
URBAN DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE FROM MIZORAM
as the free land is divisible and usually distributed among all the villagers by local authority for livelihood and dwelling purpose. But in urban areas, the land is more valuable and ownership system is complicated. This became a problem for those who need the land even for construction of shelter. Knowing all these stated facts, the Department of UD&PA, Government of Mizoram has taken initiatives towards Urban Housing Schemes/affordable housing in urban areas since the year 2009. Urban immigration which is the main reason for increase in urbanisation also leads to saturation of carrying capacity of urban areas. Hence, supply of basic needs to citizens beomes a challenge. Planning of the same is often difficult as all urban areas are not static in terms of population and other resources, collection of vital data for projects and planning seems more difficult than rural areas. This contributes to the slow progress in urban development. However, these challenges and tasks are tackled by various means and endless efforts are being made through the above missions and State projects as well. Mizoram has launched New Economic Development Policy (NEDP) and under this, various urban transformations have taken place such as junction improvements to regulate traffic
movement, infrastructures at local level, and establishment of e-office, which was initiated under operation and maintenance, to improve work efficiency at the office of the State’s Department of UD&PA.
To facilitate the needs of urban areas in the State, UD&PA department has been implementing projects under 10 per cent lumpsum provision for North East region under the ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). All projects executed under the department has come to an amount of Rs 54,238.85 lakhs and these works mainly includes projects on improvement of water supply schemes for towns, construction of sports infrastructure in various districts, construction of urban resource centres, improvement of city roads, improvement of bus stations and district complexes etc. These works were executed in eight districts in Mizoram. To strengthen urban livelihood security and to uplift women community in urban areas, Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National urban Livelihood Mission was implemented in all districts of Mizoram. 1094 Self Help Groups (SHGs) were formed and individual assistance and group assistance were provided through bank loans to urban women. This has blessed many weaker sections in urban society who are less privileged and on implementation of the said mission, Mizoram has topped in achievements such as Bank linkages and Shelter for Urban Homeless (SUH) in DAY-NULM.
Connect with us on
egovonline
@egovonline
egov magazine
Although, the urban Development and Poverty alleviation Department is progressing in various ways, there are some factors that hinders our activities and smooth implementation of some missions. One of those is the absence of proper administrative set up such as Urban Local Body at local level and intermediary level. This has been an issue since the establishment of the UD&PA Department. Absence of this hampers smooth transaction of business and funds and decentralisation of powers at local level and intermediary level. It is a well known fact that urban development strategies and initiatives is truly a big challenge for every State in the country. It requires constant effort, enthusiasm and participation of all citizens. Mizoram, though it is a small State, has opportunities in terms of citizen’s participation. People are ambitious, they socialise and are competitive and being the second most literate state, education and awareness through public towards any developmental motive is expected to be easier. It is hopeful and advantageous for the authority and key holders that the compact society and its capability in various forms is suitable in driving the state towards our goals in urban development.
MARCH 2018
19
SPECIAL INTERVIEW
A Digitally Empowered Mizoram in the Making The Mizoram Government through ICT Department has put in the hard work to ensure realisation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Digital India. We have set up infrastructure in the e-Governance domain and established State Wide Area Network, says Zodintluanga, Minister for Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation, Government of Mizoram in conversation with Ritika Srivastava of Elets News Network (ENN). Excerpts:
Zodintluanga
Minister Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Department Government of Mizoram
“For Aizawl city, we have taken steps towards improvement of water distribution system under AMRUT, drainage system has been improved to a great extent to prevent landslips.” 20
MARCH 2018
What is your vision for the urban development of Mizoram?
been shouldered by Aizawl Municipal Corporation.
Provision for clean water, clean air, scientific collection and disposal of solid waste, sustainable land use and improvement of public transport system are a must to make Mizoram a true modern urban State. The challenges in urban development are enormous, especially in a city like Aizawl where the terrains pose a big problem in planning. A hill city like Aizawl needs to have proper walkways and pedestrian footpaths. If Aizawl city can be transformed into a walkable city, it can become one of the most comfortable and liveable cities in the country.
Matters relating to water supply and management of solid waste need to be tackled systematically. The State of Mizoram is still very new to the whole concept of urban development and management. Water is a big challenge everywhere.
Therefore, there is a need to promote NMT and public transport system in the State. More footpaths need to be put in place along the length and breadth of the city wherever possible so that people can move with ease. Towards this end, we now have Non-Motorised Transport Plan for Aizawl City which was prepared by Innovative Transport Solution (itrans) Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi. The task of implementing of the NMT Plan has
What challenges are posing hurdles in effecting development? There are issues that need to be properly addressed. In fact, for Aizawl city we have taken steps towards improvement of water distribution system under AMRUT, drainage system has been improved to a great extent to prevent landslips and landslide which are rather a common phenomenon in hill terrains especially during the rainy season. An interesting milestone to mention is, although we are a small State, our performance in the implementation of AMRUT schemes is commendable. In fact, we are the best performer in the whole Northeast and among the top
[ egov.eletsonline.com ] The Largest Portal on e-Governance in Asia and the Middle East
SPECIAL INTERVIEW
10 States in the country. Apart from this, under the Asian Development Bank funded North East Region Capital Cities Development investment Programme (NERCCDIP), Solid Waste Resource Management Project is also underway which is expected to be completed in 2019. For a small State like Mizoram, we have taken up quite a big project.
Are there any special initiatives or policies formulated for difficult terrains of the State? To develop cities into modern cities, civic amenities like playgrounds, stadiums and community halls need to be provided. Besides the aforementioned components, impetus needs to be given in transport and waste management. My Department i.e., Urban Development & Poverty Alleviation Department, is currently pursuing one project, namely Supporting Sustainable Urban Transport in Aizawl City with Ministry of Finance. Technical Assistance has already been given by Asian Development Bank consultants CDM Smith. Under this project there is a plan to put in place cable cars as an alternate transport system in Aizawl city. In addition to this, there will also be a provision for procurement of state-of-the-art buses that aimed at addressing public transport problems in the capital city.
What steps have been taken to address issues related to Solid Waste Management here? Solid Waste Management is indeed a colossal task everywhere. However, activities in sanitation have been carried out since 1977. The first Cleanliness Week starting from 2nd October, 1977 was observed to mark Gandhi Jayanti. Mizoram has been observing Cleanliness Week since then, involving streets’ cleaning and sweeping voluntarily by different
communities and localities. Good performance is rewarded with prizes and incentives. In Aizawl city and other towns as well, domestic waste is collected at regular intervals by the Government in partnership with local and village councils, which are elected bodies. We have also declared 2018 as Cleanliness Year.
What measures are underway to realise Prime Minister’s vision for Digital India in Mizoram? At the moment, the State government through ICT department has put in hard work to ensure success in fulfilling the Prime Minister’s vision of Digital India. We have set up infrastructure in the e-Governance domain and State Wide Area Network, State Data Centre, Common Service Centre for delivery channel, and develop G2C and G2G services for common man’s easy accessibility. Apart from Bharat Net project, the State has taken steps to improve Internet connectivity for all Government departments in districts through wireless system under the State Government’s flagship programme New Economic Development Policy (NEDP). Furthermore, the department has done application development of Content Management System (CMS) for all government websites, Online Water Billing, Online Power Billing, Inventory Management System, Online Property Return System and
Connect with us on
egovonline
@egovonline
egov magazine
Online Leave Application. The State Government of Mizoram has extended its horizon by introducing ‘IT Education Programme for 100 Schools’ and ‘Interactive Digital Classroom for Development of Science and Mathematics’. Under Skills Development programme, IT has been introduced at the high school level. We have also mandated IT proficiency for all recruitments under the State Government wherein Course on Computer Concept (CCC) is the minimum prescribed. So, in near future all State government employees will soon turn IT literate. It’ll be a great boon for governance.
What makes Mizoram an attractive tourist destination? The Mizos are very warm hearted, hospitable and very trusting. You can still find unmanned shops in several places in rural areas. Mizos love singing. You can witness choral music at church gatherings, which is often something to marvel at for an outsider or a tourist. Our biggest cultural festival is the Chapchar Kût which will take place on 2nd March, 2018. Year after year, we have more tourists coming for the Chapchar Kut Festival. The main celebration will be held in Aizawl. Not far from Aizawl, we have Reiek Tlang hill where you can go trekking all the way to the summit. It’s breathtaking. For adventure lovers, we have a much longer trekking route at Vaipuanpho, which is a three days and nights journey.
MARCH 2018
21
SPECIAL INTERVIEW
Mizoram Pushing Urban Development to the Next Level
The Department is also implementing North Eastern Region Capital Cities Development Investment Programme (NERCCDIP) for Aizawl City under Asian Development Bank funding, and it is doing very well, says Dr C Vanlalramsanga, Secretary, Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Department, Government of Mizoram, in conversation with Ritika Srivastava of Elets News Network (ENN).
Dr C Vanlalramsanga
Secretary, Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Department Government of Mizoram
“I am sure the initiative undertaken by the Government with people’s support will put urban development scenario in the State to a comfortable and sustainable level in the coming years.” 22
MARCH 2018
Give us an overview about urban development of Mizoram? Mizoram is the most urbanized State in India with more than 52 per cent of the population living in urban areas. Mizoram has unique challenges in urban development due to its location, topography and pace of urbanisation. Urban administration, like all other States in India, has been quite a recent development and urban development has been a recent phenomena. In spite of this fact, Mizoram has been achieving
significant progress in recent years due to dynamic governance and favorable participation of the people. Urban areas have been centres of economic growth in the State and the State Government has been placing urban development as one of the priority area.
What major projects have been introduced by your department for the State’s urban growth? The State flagship programmes under New Economic Development Policy
[ egov.eletsonline.com ] The Largest Portal on e-Governance in Asia and the Middle East
SPECIAL INTERVIEW
- a comprehensive growth strategy has placed urban development on priority. Composite Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme has been implemented this year. In parallel, Composite Village Infrastructure Development Scheme has also been implemented to improve livability of rural areas so that unrealistic and rapid rural-urban migration may be checked. This will also promote urban clusters in the State. The Department is also implementing North Eastern Region Capital Cities Development Investment Programme (NERCCDIP) for Aizawl city under Asian Development Bank funding, and it is doing very well. Moreover, the department is also implementing Central flagship programmes such as Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), Housing for All, National urban Livelihood Mission, AMRUT, and Smart Cities.
What are the major challenges effecting Mizoram’s urban development? Providing urban infrastructure is very costly here due to our topography, location and poor transportation system. The cost of providing urban infrastructure is much higher than in plain areas. Moreover, due to heavy and prolong rainy season and topographical disadvantage, most of our urban infrastructure requires high cost of maintenance. Also, as stated earlier, rural-urban migration has been quite a phenomenon here in the State culminating in high urban population.
Where do you see urban development of Mizoram in the coming years? The challenges of urban development in Mizoram are enormous, especially in the capital city of Aizawl where the terrain and space constraints pose
serious problems. But the Government and the people of Mizoram has rightly put priority on urban development to improve livability and productivity of out cities and towns. I am sure the initiative undertaken by the Government with people’s support will put urban development scenario in the State to a comfortable and sustainable level in the coming years.
As e-governance has created a buzz in the country. How do you view it as influencing the administrative style in your region? E-governance is an important driving force for efficiency in public service delivery and innovation in public administration. The influence of e-governance in a small State with high literacy like Mizoram has been tremendous. However, we will need credible, reliable and flawless internet connectivity to effectively implement e-governance in the State to be able to transform public administration in a very significant manner.
Do you think e-governance is the need of the hour for a developing country like India, especially where access to basic amenities has been a challenge? The implementation of e-governance will improve public service delivery in the country. The effective use of e-governance will enable the delivery of public services to a large base of people across different segments and geographical locations, and marks a giant step forward towards creating a more inclusive society. However, to effectively implement e-governance, we will have to address digital divide particularly challenges relating to capabilities of the Government to deliver e-government services and the capabilities of the people to avail e-services.
Connect with us on
egovonline
@egovonline
egov magazine
How do you view the impact of e-governance on employment front in the light of high unemployment rate in the country? Kindly give an example from your region. ICT revolution has put tremendous pressure on Governments to do more with less by implementing e-government, improvement in public service delivery while saving on costs will enable higher public investments and therefore, generate larger employments. Moreover, e-government will put women in a more level playing field or make them more competitive that will also provide better employment opportunities to them.
What steps have you taken for public awareness with regard to new methodologies of providing services being increasingly adopted by digitised Government system? Mizoram Government has made computer skills mandatory for entry into government services. We also have e-governance society who spearheads public awareness campaign for e-Governance initiatives in the State.
What kind of security measures have you already put in place to make the system foolproof from sabotage like recently attempted through ransomware cyber attack? The Government of Mizoram has a dedicated ICT Department to closely monitor the growth of ICT projects in the State. The ICT Department has set up the State Data Centre for data security, and they are also proposing to set up Cyber Security Centre.
MARCH 2018
23
URBAN DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE FROM MIZORAM
MIZORAM Developing Vibrant, Inclusive, EFFICIENT and Sustainable URBAN HABITATS The Aizawl Municipal Corporation has been doing its best to address Solid Waste Management issues and improve sanitation. The collective efforts of all the concerned Departments/ Agencies are bringing about marked improvements in water supply and sanitation, says Vanlalmawia Renthlei, Joint Secretary, Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Department, Government of Mizoram in conversation with Poulami Chakraborty of Elets News Network (ENN).
Vanlalmawia Renthlei Joint Secretary Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Department Government of Mizoram
“Mizoram has a long history of sanitation and cleanliness initiatives with the cleanliness week which commenced as far back as 1977, with the big involvement of the community, and various NGOs in this field. Because of this, the level of awareness is quite high among the general public.� 24
MARCH 2018
What initiatives have been taken by the Government of Mizoram for the urban development of the State?
How is Aizawl evolving as a forerunner when it comes to waste management in the region?
Urban Development can be said as a relatively new initiative in India. The earlier focus of the Government was mainly on rural development, rural poverty alleviation, addressing agricultural sector, and employments in the primary sector.
Mizoram has a long history of sanitation and cleanliness initiatives with the cleanliness week which commenced as far back as 1977, with the big involvement of the community, and various NGOs in this field. Because of this, the level of awareness is quite high among the general public.
The initiatives of the Government of India and the State Governments have resulted in a series of urban sector programmes aimed at addressing urban poverty, urban housing, urban planning and urban renewal has resulted in overall development in the State. Urban transport is being given emphasis to improve mobility. Aizawl being the capital city of the State, various urban initiatives have resulted in significant developments of the city. Central flagship programmes like Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission DAY-NULM have played a critical in the improvement of civic amenities, poverty eradication and formation of Self Help Groups.
The next phase in urban sanitation is scientific management of wastes, which has been given priority by the Government. Aizawl will have a scientific waste management centre under the ADB-assisted North Eastern Region Capital Cities Development Investment Programme (NERCCDIP). A serious of waste management campaigns had been taken up.
What measures have been taken up by the State Urban Development authorities to ensure proper drinking water and sanitation to its citizens? With a view to providing key urban services such as water supply, solid
[ egov.eletsonline.com ] The Largest Portal on e-Governance in Asia and the Middle East
URBAN DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE FROM MIZORAM
waste management, sewerage and drainage, the Government departments and the Municipality have been putting in efforts to achieve these services based on annual running targets. The intervention through the Central Government’s Schemes like Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), AMRUT etc, are quite instrumental in improving water supply and sanitation. The State’s efforts through the ADB’s assistance and State’s budget supported New Economic Development Policy (NEDP) also help in improving the service levels. The Aizawl Municipal Corporation has also been doing its best to address Solid Waste Management issues and improve sanitation. The collective efforts of all the concerned Departments/Agencies are bringing about marked improvements in water supply and sanitation. We have visualised a 24x7 water supply, with scientific management of solid wastes, and sewerage treatment for eastern part of Aizawl, coupled with widespread use of bio-digester in septage management. A series of waste management campaigns have been taken up for generating awareness to the public, and to bring about behavioural change.
How do you gauge the State when it comes to adopting e-governance and IT in its ecosystem? IT has now played an important role in delivery of services to the citizens. Therefore, we need to increasingly leverage IT to provide better services and for efficiency in the system. The State has a very vibrant IT framework, and the State Government has taken up a series of measures for improving the system through IT
interventions. Platforms such as e-District, State data centre, development of applications for various departments for online payment of water bill and power bill, development and maintenance of websites by the State’s Information and Communication Technology Department for dissemination of information, which are quite citizen-centric in nature, play a pivotal role in the delivery of services.
How is the authority acting on connecting the city with state-of-the-art transportation services? The real efforts of the Government in improving urban mobility are of recent initiatives. In view of the hilly nature of the city, there are limitations in adopting the transportation models, particularly for mass mobility. The Government is giving emphasis on improving non-motorised transport, particularly in pedestrian facilities, improving public transport systems. In particular, the systems and models that can be developed for hill cities will need to be put in place. A comprehensive Non-Motorised Transport Master Plan
Connect with us on
egovonline
@egovonline
egov magazine
is already in place, and a sustainably urban transport is expected to be taken up through external assistance to improve the urban mobility.
Please share your vision on the urban development growth of the region for the coming five years. It has now become an accepted norm that urban development has increasingly become the centrestage in the economy, as cities are rightly called as ‘Engines of Growth’. Efficient management of urban areas and economic administration of urban centres are the key to growth and development. With that understanding, the gross investments in the urban areas have been increasing by leaps and bounds. The Central Government, State Governments, and Municipal Authorities collectively invest in the urban sector. In that backdrop, it is expected that the urban areas in the region will be able to contribute significantly to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of the States, and play increasing role in the economy.
MARCH 2018
25
AIZAWL MUNICIPAL CORPORATION PERSPECTIVE
Aizawl Leading the DEVEOPMENT Path in Mizoram Mizoram State has been a pioneer in cleanliness and sanitation, with observation of cleanliness week since 1977. The community participation, particularly the NGOs in this field is a real example that is worth replication in other parts of the country, says Dr H Lalthlangliana, Commissioner, Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC) in conversation with Poulami Chakraborty of Elets News Network (ENN).
Dr H Lalthlangliana
Commissioner, Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC)
What initiatives have you initiated to develop Aizawl as a Smart city?
“The Street Vending Scheme, a component under NULM is expected to improve productivity of the street vendors by providing them with livelihood by formalising them in the urban economy.” 26
MARCH 2018
We have the masterplan for Aizawl Vision 2030 which was approved by the Government of Mizoram in March, 2013. The masterplan has been the guiding factor for all development in Aizawl henceforth. The initiatives toward transforming Aizawl into a Smart City has included aspects such as e-governance for all, safety and security, creation of public spaces (open air theatre, parks, etc) construction of retaining walls in landslide prone areas, etc. Initiatives for development of Aizawl are rather recent. Thus, there is a long way to go in the city’s development. During the last few years, a series of steps have been taken to improve the overall development through increased investments in key services and through institutional system. Such measures include the combined efforts of the State Government and the Aizawl Municipal Corporation. The Government of India’s Smart Cities Mission, which includes Aizawl, will greatly help in accelerating the pace of our initiatives in this direction. The
emphasis on improvement of water supply, sewerage and sanitation, urban transport, etc, are all part of this initiative.
To what extent is e-governance adopted in Aizawl Municipal Corporation to ensure seamless and hassle-free services to the citizens? Automated building plan approval system is being developed and is expected to be online by the end of this month. This system will provide the citizens a web based application for submission of online application and provide SMS/email notifications regarding the status of building permission. At present, all the application forms, rules and regulations, important documents relating to the services provided by AMC are available for download at municipal website. File tracking system is being used in the management of file logs/record for effective and efficient office management.
How are the waste management projects processing in Aizawl?
[ egov.eletsonline.com ] The Largest Portal on e-Governance in Asia and the Middle East
AIZAWL MUNICIPAL CORPORATION PERSPECTIVE
What is the vision towards making it the best in the country? We are lucky that Mizoram has been a pioneer in cleanliness and sanitation, with observation of cleanliness week since 1977. The community participation, particularly the NGOs in this field is a real example that is worth replication in other parts of the country. However, the method of waste processing is still unscientific in Aizawl, which is being addressed. Existing landfill dumping ground which is more than 30 years old will be closed down within a year and will be transformed into a new more scientific method resource centre, in which recycling of waste, decomposing mechanically and biologically method will be applied. This scientific management of wastes will be taken up under the Asian Development Bank assisted NERCCDIP, and implementation of the project has been going on smoothly. This will provide the completion of the process of waste management in the city. As per masterplan, three more disposal sites in the northern, western and southern ends of the city apart from the existing Tuirial Site in the eastern end are yet to be established. Segregation at source is attempted and vigorous awareness campaigns and exercises are underway.
Please elaborate on the involvement of citizens in the corporation’s initiatives, projects and governance. Mizoram has the unique distinction of having well organised NGOs and Church communities which play active roles in various projects, programmes and policies of the Government. This gives valuable inputs in the civic initiatives, projects and governance. Collection of solid waste and collection
of property tax were done through Public Private Partnership mode. Street sweeping and cleaning of drains etc, are also often done with community participation on voluntary basis.
What kind of initiatives are taken up by the civic authority to protect cultural heritage of Mizoram? Mizoram presents a unique culture, which is different from rest of the country. The rich cultural heritage, together with the special and unique topography needs to be given due consideration while planning various policies, and in the implementation of projects and schemes. We are lucky to have a very pro-active INTACH Mizoram Chapter, which gives us various suggestions towards protection of the cultural heritages of the State. Development programmes in the city is giving taking due considerations to the cultural and traditional values and heritages.
Are there special considerations while planning development in hilly terrains of the State? Yes, Mizoram is a hilly State, having unique features and challenges. Accordingly, the development plans need to take into consideration the hilly terrains and our topography. Thus, the plans we make, the projects we implement, and the development options that we choose need to take into account the topography, and the special situations that exist here. Unless we value these unique features, our valuable hilly terrains could never occupy special position in the planning. Accordingly, we always need to customise various programmes and policies that are implemented in other parts of the country to suit our local conditions and situations. With respect to the masterplan for Aizawl, all lands/
Connect with us on
egovonline
@egovonline
egov magazine
plots between 45 – 60 degrees require a ‘No Objection Certificate’ from the Geology and Mineral Resources Department for any developmental works. Further, no development is allowed in lands with 60 degree and above slopes. In addition, identified landslide/landslip areas also require a ‘No Objection Certificate’ from the Geology and Mineral Resources Department. “Site Development & Slope Development Regulation, 2017” has been approved by the Government in addition to the existing AMC Building Regulation, 2012 to ensure proper site development and construction activity within the city. The AMC has already prepared landslide hazard map for the city.
What measures are underway to improve the livelihoods of the people of the city? The State Government and AMC are taking up measures to improve livelihood through urban poverty alleviation schemes. The major initiative is the “National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM)” of the Government of India, which has been in active implementation in the State. The earlier Scheme of Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY) was a real success in the State, and NULM is again expected to bring about real improvements in livelihoods, especially the urban poor, through economic empowerment. The Street Vending Scheme, a component under NULM is expected to improve productivity of the street vendors by providing them with livelihood by formalising them in the urban economy. Provision of basic services through various schemes is the thrust area in particular. Sanitation, housing, urban transport, etc. are the areas that are being addressed to improve the service levels in the city.
MARCH 2018
27
SIPMIU PERSPECTIVE
SIPMIU Ensuring NORTH EAST’S Development In order to achieve the scope of the Smart City issued by the Government of India, the infrastructures can be selected through wide public consultation and adopting the best which can be affordable by the community of Aizawl, says Valbuanga, Programme Director, State Investment Programme Management and Implementation Unit (SIPMIU), Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Department (UD&PAD), Aizawl, Government of Mizoram, in conversation with Poulami Chakraborty of Elets News Network (ENN).
Valbuanga
Programme Director, State Investment Programme Management and Implementation Unit (SIPMIU), Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Department (UD&PAD) Aizawl, Government of Mizoram
Can you highlight some of the SIPMIU projects related to water supply, sewerage and solid waste management?
“The Finance Department being the nodal agency was fully aware of the programme and gave full support in financing the projects and the SIPMIU could clear all contractors bills on time.” 28
MARCH 2018
The present water supply available is only 34.8 Million Litres per Day(MLD) with a deficit of 19.83 MLD. The sub-project of water supply envisages augmentation of existing water supply by 37 MLD for meeting the intermediate water demand of 71.22 MLD by 2033 which is proposed to be completed by June, 2019. The programme will benefit the people of Aizawl for lengthening water supply duration by 24x7 in some part and at least 12x7 in most of the part with standard supply rate of 135 lpcd. The project adopted for Solid Waste Resource Management is: l Segregation of waste at sources for bio-degradable and nonbiodegradable by providing two bins (green/blue) to each household.
l Providing collection vehicles for dry and wet waste separately for collection from house-to house and by bell ring system at some points through PPP mode. l Provide separate unit for secondary segregation with separate treatment for dry and wet in the sanitary land fill area. l Provide facility for composting through mechanical/microcomposting and vermi-composting for wet waste, and bailing the dry waste separately for different kind of waste that can be provided for recycle.
What challenges did you face in implementing the North Eastern Region Capital Cities Development Investment Programme (NERCCDIP)? The implementation of urban development in the present context is very difficult and challenging since there are number of responsible
[ egov.eletsonline.com ] The Largest Portal on e-Governance in Asia and the Middle East
SIPMIU PERSPECTIVE
agencies involved in the development. For example water supply by Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), sewerage and sanitations by PHED, Solid Waste Management by Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation department (UD&PAD)/ Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC). Further, there are other issues in the contract executions such as less working season due to prolongation of rainfall (monsoon), congestion of working space on roads, traffic movement restriction during day time, frequent change of skilled labour by the contractors and number of interventions with the public, departments and effected areas. In order to tackle such hindrances, guidelines are given by Asian Development Bank in their loan appraisal report duly approved in the implementation arrangement which has been followed strictly by the State nodal department (Finance) and the State executing agency (UD&PAD). The Government constituted State Steering Committee headed by the Chief Secretary with members of head of departments concerned for the projects to appraise coordination between the implementing agency and other departments. The committee is also responsible for policy change agenda. The committee encourages the programme implementation and give full support and resolve the inter coordination. Further, the Investment Programme Empowered Committee (IPEC) constituted by the government for administering, headed by the Secretary, UD&PAD is fully empowered and is taking the shortest decision for the project implementation such as administrative approval, expenditure sanction and approval of contracts award. The Finance Department being the nodal agency, was fully aware of the programme and gave full support in
financing the projects and the SIPMIU could clear all contractors bills on time. The Government has given priority to the programme implementation and constituted the Quality Assurance and Coordination Committee headed by Programme Director, SIPMIU with members from concerned departments and stakeholders. The committee is seated as and when required for review and consultation of the contract executions. Number of public consultation meeting and joint site inspection has been conducted before start of the works which greatly support project implementation
without much delay since public was informed well ahead before the start.
Water is an essential resource on the planet. What steps can be taken to address the paucity of water in hilly areas? It is a common fact that water paucity is in the hilly areas. It depends on the traditional settlements such as some city/towns are located on the hill tops, slope and foot hills. There are no spring sources and perennial rivers within the vicinity of city/towns to meet the water demand. Some towns and cities are provided by gravity feed scheme or collection of rainwater (individual roof top/impounding) is the economy project to meet the portable water supply. However, for a city like
Connect with us on
egovonline
@egovonline
egov magazine
Aizawl and other towns, pumping from the perennial river source is commonly used in which sustainability cannot be achieved due to high operational and maintenance cost. Therefore, the water supply projects should be selected after careful study of the availability of water sources and and the best scheme for sustainability should be selected.
Share your ideas on developing Aizawl city as a Smart City? The scope for the Smart City can be widely classified in terms of infrastructure development,
institutionalisation of urban services, capacity to afford for sustainability as per the provision of guidelines for the Smart City. It will also greatly depend on geographical conditions, traditional practices, social, culture and religion of the city. In such cases the infrastructures such as metro transport system in Delhi/Mumbai may not be applicable for Aizawl. The basic need of water supply, sewerage and sanitation system facilities may not be suitably applicable in Aizawl compared to other cities located in the planes due to geographical locations. In order to achieve the scope of the Smart City issued by the Government of India, the infrastructures can be selected through wide public consultation and adopt the best which can be affordable by the community of Aizawl.
MARCH 2018
29
SANITATION AND MIZORAM
Mizoram on India’s Road to Become CLEANEST The Mizo, in general, have been quite aware of sanitation and cleanliness. In fact, it has been maintained that there has not been any incidence of manual scavenging in Mizoram, writes Lalmuansanga Ralte, Under Secretary in the Government of Mizoram, Department of Urban Development & Poverty Alleviation for Elets News Network (ENN).
H
ygiene and healthy living have been the hallmarks by which Mizo society has been known for many years now. Since 1977, Faina Hapta also known as cleanliness week has been observed in Mizoram in celebration of Gandhi Jayanti. When Swachh Bharat Mission was launched in 2014, it was received with much delight as the Mission would certainly address many problems and challenges in funding.
30
MARCH 2018
Lalmuansanga Ralte
Under Secretary in the Government of Mizoram, Department of Urban Development & Poverty Alleviation
The Mizoram Cleanliness Week is usually kicked off on 2nd October every year, and during the ensuing one week period various sanitation and cleanliness activities are carried out by all localities across the length and breadth of Mizoram. Sometimes, town-wise or city-wise sanitation work is organised under the aegis of the respective District Administration or the Civil Sub-Division Administration. Individual localities also do partake in
[ egov.eletsonline.com ] The Largest Portal on e-Governance in Asia and the Middle East
SANITATION AND MIZORAM
this cleanliness and sanitation activities by cleaning their localities. During the Cleanliness Week, district level and town level competitions in cleanliness are held wherein the districts and towns compete against one another to be the cleanest town. In 2017 Cleanliness Week Competition, Biate town, situated in the eastern part of Mizoram, was declared as the cleanest town in Mizoram. As evident in the forgoing paragraphs, the State Government of Mizoram lays emphasis on sanitation and cleanliness, and is keen on making Mizoram among the first states to become an Open Defecation Free State. With the combined efforts of the Government, NGOs and general public, community garbage are, by and large collected and disposed of in designated locations. At present the system of disposal available is only open dumping. However, the State Government is taking steps to put in place scientific waste management systems. Presently, construction of Solid Waste Management Resource Centre at Aizawl, a project under Asian Development Bank assistance is underway. Here, wastes will be segregated at source. As part of the project, 54 solid waste management vehicles have already been procured and handed over to the Aizawl Municipal Corporation for collection and disposal of municipal wastes in Aizawl. Apart from this, Solid Waste Management Centre at Kolasib funded under Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) is also underway and is expected to be completed within this fiscal year. Another solid waste management project for Lunglei, the second capital of Mizoram has also been approved and sanctioned by the Central Government recently. In recent years, Mizoram has gained recognition in the country in matters
relating to sanitation and cleanliness. It may be stated that in 2015, Aizawl has secured the ninth position in being the cleanest city among capital cities in India. In addition to this, Mizoram has also been ranked the 35th position among 476 cities across the nation. Besides what has been mentioned, Mizoram has garnered accolades such as Skoch Award in 2015 for submission of its entry on Sanitation Through Public Participation and HUDCO Award for Best Practices in Sanitation. In order for Aizawl to be clean, there was a felt need to put in place garbage bins so that people would not litter in the streets. At the same time, the general sense of awareness is worthy of mention as littering and dumping of garbage in public places is relatively minimal. Under the aegis of the Public Health Engineering Department, villages have Water and Sanitation Committees under the umbrella of the village councils. In Aizawl, Sanitation Committees are formed under the umbrella of the local councils. These committees are supported to take up various sanitation activities, including collection of fees, organising social/voluntary works for cleaning of streets. As the State Government is serious in making Mizoram a clean State, it acknowledges the pressing need to have systematic approach to urban sanitation in the State. Therefore, in the year 2011, the Government of Mizoram had notified a policy on solid waste management namely, the Mizoram Urban Sanitation and Solid Waste Management Policy, 2011 which lays down objectives and guiding principles in management of wastes by the State Government and its agencies in the State. The State Government has initiated various measures for treatment of wastes. Apart from Aizawl, it has acquired suitable plots of land in Lunglei town, Champhai town, Kolasib town and Serchhip town for setting up of waste management centres. Under its Asian Development Bank
Connect with us on
egovonline
@egovonline
egov magazine
funded project the Government has initiated piloting of waste segregation and composting of green wastes in five localities (out of 83 Localities) in Aizawl from 2014. Wastes are segregated and green wastes are composed at Lengpui (30 kms away from Aizawl City) in collaboration with Vermizo, a private firm. This experiment has been found quite successful in the city. Another important initiative is the grants given by the Government to three institutions viz., Pachhunga University College, Aizawl; Higher and Technical Institute of Mizoram, Lunglei; Aizawl Theological College (ATC), Durtlang, Aizawl; and Academy of Integrated Christian Studies (AICS), Tanhril, Aizawl for setting up of Zero Waste Management Project within their campuses. The concept here is that these institutions will implement these projects, and all wastes produced within their campus will be disposed of within the campuses only and no waste is to be transported outside for disposal. If these projects prove successful, the same will be replicated in other localities as well. When we say that Mizoram is a relatively clean State, it does not mean that the State is complacent with its position. In fact, it still has a long way to go. There needs to be scientific management centres in very district and towns. The State Government is presently putting its focus to becoming the cleanest State in the country before the Swachh Bharat Mission period comes to an end.
MARCH 2018
31
MISSION CLEANLINESS-A PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT
“The local leaders of Biate town began sensitising people to adopt a holistic approach for improvement in the field of hygiene, sanitation, protection of environment and overall development acceleration.” 32
MARCH 2018
Biate ─ the CLEANEST Town of Mizoram
N
ot in too many Indian towns would you find residents engaging themselves in the ritual cleaning of their surroundings every morning for more than a decade. A small town of Biate in the eastern part of Mizoram is an exception as cleaning their houses and surroundings every morning is a way of life lived by senior citizens and children alike. With a population of over 2,000, Biate takes a sense of pride to be one of the first open defecation-free towns and also is placed itself as the cleanest town
in the whole of Mizoram. Biate began its cleanliness drive for over a decade before Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Mission in 2014. In 1956, the Mizo Children’s Association (MCA) was formed in Biate, which took the initiative of cleanliness drive. Once a week, members of the association would make use of their time to clean the streets. However, the 20 years of insurgency in Mizoram posed an obstacle for the smooth sailing of the cleaning activity in the town.
[ egov.eletsonline.com ] The Largest Portal on e-Governance in Asia and the Middle East
MISSION CLEANLINESS-A PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT
The year 2003 was a notable year as YMA Chhang, the children wing of the largest voluntary organisation of the Mizos Young Mizo Association (YMA) was formed. There was no looking back ever since. “What we started back then had led us to where we are today. It was not an overnight miracle; it required a lot of time, cooperation and patience,” said R Laremkunga, President of the YMA Biate Branch. The local leaders of Biate town began sensitising people to adopt a holistic approach for improvement in the field of hygiene, sanitation, protection of environment and overall development acceleration. Unlike many other places in the Northeast, the prevalence of common tropical disease –Malaria- has not been found or detected among the Biate residents since 2012. This feat is primarily attributed to their advancement in cleanliness and sanitation. The main contributor in this aspect, the Biate Community Health Centre was, in fact, declared the cleanest health centre in the State of Mizoram. The strong sense of community participation ignites in the hearts of the residents the willingness to step forth and contribute to the development and progress of the town. Resources were, hence, pulled together. Garbage trucks were deployed to reach every corner and every pocket in the locality so that a high standard of cleanliness could be maintained. Better internal road connectivity was made a priority, resources contributed by the village council and residents were put to good use. Many families donated their lands for public use so that better and wider roads could be constructed.
It is remarkable to note that all along the length and breadth of the town, however small or narrow the roads might be, proper side are put in place, which help in preventing the road from being made dirty. While it is difficult to have a proper waste management system even in cities, the local leaders of this small town has already been running a more systematised approach, setting an example for all. The cleanliness model of Biate has evolved around community participation. Every resident is keen on having some involvement towards sanitation and cleanliness. There is a strong sense of ownership in the whole state of affairs, and this may have been due to the cleanliness awareness campaigns organised by the local leaders. Door to door campaigns, counseling and sensitisating the younger generation as well as the older ones, convincing them that Biate could only be clean if every resident accepted to act responsibly. These campaigns have proved most fruitful through the years. What makes Biate cleanliness drive remarkable is that
Connect with us on
egovonline
@egovonline
egov magazine
there are no strictly enforced rules here. There are no legal penalties for smoking in public places, for urinating in the open and for littering. They just don’t do it. For Biate, that is the order of the day. And if any visitors threw rubbish in open places, the children would pick them up and throw them into the garbage bin. Such is their exemplary life. A little known town, yet endowed with clean air, clean water, clean food and clean living. Mother Nature has blessed them for their untiring efforts for they are breathing in the best air quality which is a rarity in today’s world. And all these can be attributed to their steadfastness and solidarity, which are necessary qualities to living a glimpse of heaven on earth. Perhaps, one day Biate will be known to the outside world for the good qualities that it has, and more so for being the cleanest town in Asia. (The article is based on cleanliness report of Mizoram cities and towns by Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Department, Government of Mizoram )
MARCH 2018
33
EXPLORING MIZORAM WITH FILM FESTIVAL
Showcasing Magnetic Mizoram Via Cinema Film Festivals have become a widespread phenomenon across the globe over the last 50 years and are one of the major events that go on to establish the reputation of the place in which they are organised. Conforming to the above mentioned ideology, the first ever Indian Film Festival, Mizoram was jointly organised by the Mizoram State Government and Innovations India with an aim to connect Mizoram and rest of India via Cinema, says Captain Rahul Bali, Curator of the Mega Festival and Managing Director, Innovations India in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).
Captain Rahul Bali Curator of the mega festival and Managing Director, Innovations India
“Some of the leading filmmakers from India and abroad attended the festival which is sure to become a great platform for the new generation of filmmakers who are always seeking to reach out to new and fresh locations to make films.� 34
MARCH 2018
How did you get into curating Indian Film Festivals? Curating the Indian Film Festivals is an endeavour of mine to promote the art and culture of India via cinema by showcasing some of the finest Indian movies at some fantastic destinations where they are still not very popular. Indian cinema is known for its vibrancy and colour that depicts great virtues
like love, bonding and various human emotions on a larger than life canvas through songs, dance and music. The iconic brand of Indian cinema that aims at spreading sheer happiness is on display in every festival I curate. The audiences have an opportunity to see some great works of creative brilliance by master Indian film makers by way of these Indian movies which go a long way in spreading the fragrance of India.
[ egov.eletsonline.com ] The Largest Portal on e-Governance in Asia and the Middle East
EXPLORING MIZORAM WITH FILM FESTIVAL
Conforming to the ideology the first ever Indian Film Festival Mizoram was jointly organised by the Mizoram State Government and Innovations India with an aim to connect Mizoram and rest of India via cinema. The three day film festival organised from 23rd - 25th January, 2018 was inaugurated in Aizawl by the honorable Chief Minister of Mizoram Lal Thanhawla and saw the presence of some of the biggest names of cinema from India and the world. Supported by a number of festival partners and sponsors the Indian Film Festival, Mizoram created euphoria about Mizoram as one of the preferred destinations for both leisure and business.
Why did you choose Mizoram as a destination for an Indian Film Festival? Mizoram is a beautiful State that has largely remained unexplored till now as far as the world of films and cinema is concerned and in fact Mizoram has a lot to offer to the filmmakers. Initiatives like the Indian Film Festival Mizoram will surely place Mizoram in the list of desired destinations for filmmakers and boost the image of the State in the most desired manner. We are thankful to the State Government of Mizoram who have agreed to make the Festival an annual event which shall feature a rich mix of programmes designed to build and support the growing interest of the Indian film industry in Mizoram that shall go a long way in achieving the goal of making Mizoram a preferred destination for both leisure and business.
What were you most excited about with regards to this festival?
“Initiatives like the Indian Film Festival Mizoram will surely place Mizoram in the list of desired destinations for filmmakers and boost the image of the State in the most desired manner.� Connect with us on
egovonline
@egovonline
egov magazine
The idea itself excited me to the hilt. In fact, it was a matter of great pride and honour for me and my entire team at Innovations India to curate the first ever Indian Film Festival Mizoram, as it gave us an immense impetus as State partners of Mizoram to introduce the Magnetic Mizoram to the world and seek to develop a lot of synergies for the overall growth of the State. I would say that this Festival is just the beginning of what is going to be an incredible journey in one of the most beautiful parts of India. We have a lot of very interactive and huge events planned to be organised in Mizoram in the near future.
What were the objectives and highlights of this festival? The first ever Indian Film Festival, Mizoram in Aizawl was conducted with the sole objective of showcasing the unexplored beauty of Mizoram to the world via cinema and to introduce the brilliance of the State to the most prolific filmmakers of India and the world. Therefore the underlined objective of
MARCH 2018
35
EXPLORING MIZORAM WITH FILM FESTIVAL
this festival was to connect the biggest filmmakers of the country with Mizoram and the key decision-makers of the State to highlight the key advantages of Mizoram and its mesmerising beauty and thereby catapulting Mizoram into limelight both at the National as well as International arena. In addition to the above, the audiences in Mizoram had an opportunity to see some great works of creative brilliance by master Indian filmmakers and these film makers got to see the beautiful mountains and landscapes of Mizoram which will go a long way in creating bonds of relations between the film makers and Mizoram. Some of the leading filmmakers from India and abroad attended the festival which is sure to become a great platform for the new generation of filmmakers who are always seeking to reach out to new and fresh locations to make films. These filmmakers were taken around the beautiful locales of Mizoram and a panel discussion was organised at the beautiful Convention Centre in Berawtlang where a detailed brainstorming was carried out between the representatives of Government of Mizoram and the filmmakers. The panel discussion was presided over by Honourable Information and Public Relations Minister of Mizoram Lal Thanzara and attended by all section of society like officials of the State Government, Vice Chancellor of ICFAI University, Miss Mizoram, Press and Media, Mizo Film Producers and Directors, students and filmmakers.
What kind of films were showcased and which filmmakers attended this festival? A total of six films in different Indian languages were showcased at the festival making it a truly Indian Film
36
MARCH 2018
“The filmmakers were absolutely mesmerised by the brilliance of the State. The beautiful landscapes and picturesque locations of Mizoram spellbind them.� Festival. The films which were selected were stories that stand out, that are told in the most creative way, stories that are colourful, full of life, musical, inspiring yet daring, courageous, risk-taking, award winning stories filled with wonder stories that spread fragrance of India. The Mega Film Festival as attended by some of the biggest names in the world of cinema today. Ace Film Maker Rahul Mittra, Popular Actor Sushant Singh, National Award winning Directors Umesh Shukla & Mikhil Musale, Acclaimed Film Maker Shahnaab Alam and Renowned Assamese Actress Zerifa Wahid. The festival also saw the presence of Katerina Tarbo-
Ignatenko, a renowned filmmaker from Italy.
What was the overall response for the festival from both the filmmakers and the people of Mizoram? The filmmakers were absolutely mesmerised by the brilliance of the State. Not only did the beautiful landscapes and picturesque locations of Mizoram spellbind them but some of the most spectacular nuances like the anti-littering drive in Mizoram, the no honking city of Aizawl, shops without shopkeepers and the cleanest small town of Asia – Biate left them in total awe. They were more than happy to visit this hidden jewel in the north eastern part of India and each one of them was inspired to come back and shoot in this paradise. The fun loving people of Mizoram actually reciprocated the feelings in double the measure. The kind of love, affection and support that the festival got from both the people and Government of Mizoram is praiseworthy. I feel blessed to be associated with a State which has mindblowlingly fascinating natural beauty and the most responsive and loving audiences. I sure look forward to many more interacti.
[ egov.eletsonline.com ] The Largest Portal on e-Governance in Asia and the Middle East
NIUA PERSPECTIVE
Innovative North-East Can Inspire Himalayan Region in Urban Transformation The Smart Cities Mission provides cities in the North-East a unique opportunity to invest in customised and indigenous solutions and innovations, tells Professor Jagan Shah, Director, National Institute of Urban Affairs in an interview with Souvik Goswami of Elets News Network (ENN). Professor Jagan Shah
Director National Institute of Urban Affairs
“The States of the North-East must find solutions for capacity building and community level management of local resources and municipal functions. The high level of education must be leveraged for improvements in urban management.”
Give us an overview of NIUA. The Government of India set up the ‘National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), in November 1975, under the then Ministry of Works and Housing (now Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs) with a view to promoting an organisation that could bridge the gap between researchers and practitioners in the field of urban and rural integrated planning and development. Since then, NIUA has been functioning as the premier national institute for research, capacity building and dissemination of knowledge for the urban sector in India. The institute contributed to the National Commission on Urbanisation in 1988, participated in drafting the 74th Constitutional Amendment of 1992, prepared the Draft
Connect with us on
egovonline
@egovonline
National Urban Policy and other documents for the roll out of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and conducted appraisal of urban reforms agenda under JNNURM. It has also guided the discourse on municipal finance by framing the Model Municipal Law. NIUA was chosen as the National Convener for the Peer Experience and Reflective Learning (PEARL) programme initiated by the MoUD in 2008 with the objective of enhancing knowledgeexchange and cross-learning between JNNURM cities. NIUA’s vision is to promote integrated solutions for urban India. Our work broadly covers the areas of urbanisation studies, planning, revitalisation and
egov magazine
MARCH 2018
37
NIUA PERSPECTIVE
heritage management, municipal finance & governance, land economics, transit oriented development, urban livelihoods, environment and climate change and smart cities. The institute houses an Urban Data Centre, a Geospatial Lab, a Capacity Building Cell, a Publication Cell and a Library. NIUA regularly publishes research studies under its different projects, as well as two referred bi-annual journals: Urban India and Environment & Urbanisation ASIA. It also hosts a number of websites (all accessible from www.niua.org). It provides regular research support to the MoHUA, contributes to deliberations in various apex committees, evaluates government policies and programmes, analyses urban data and promotes new concepts and approaches, conducts research on contemporary urban and related issues, disseminates its research, coordinates nationwide capacity building and training activities and implements a number of ‘proof of concept’ and innovation projects in collaboration with Indian and foreign partners. With over 120 employees, the institute has become a thriving ecosystem for young and seasoned professionals and scholars to work in a multi-disciplinary, collaborative and stimulating intellectual environment on some of the most urgent challenges of the urban sector in India.
What important part is being played by NIUA in Government of India’s ambitious Smart Cities and Swachh Bharat Mission? NIUA has been deeply involved with the design of the Smart Cities Mission as well as the implementation of AMRUT, Swachh Bharat Mission and HRIDAY. The Mission Guidelines for AMRUT designate NIUA as the strategic partner of the Ministry for capacity building, providing a ‘single window’ to the MoUD/States/ULBs for their capacity building needs. NIUA has been involved in developing and managing a Solutions
38
MARCH 2018
Exchange platform called Smartnet that supports the development of cities across India and creates a resource-rich ecosystem of learning, sharing and disseminating for city managers and primary stakeholders in the urban transformation of India. NIUA is the National Programme Management Unit for HRIDAY, supporting the National Mission Directorate as well as the States and the Cities for implementing the scheme and monitoring the progress and quality control of the activities funded by the Scheme.
The Swachh Bharat Mission envisages capacity building of over one lakh officials, health inspectors and sanitary workers in 4041 ULBs of India. To facilitate this, NIUA developed the e-learning portal for the SBM (Urban) with the Urban Management Centre, Ahmedabad. Additionally, NIUA has also organised and conducted five-day Exposure Workshops in 2016 and 2017 training around 650 participants which included officials, elected representatives, NGOs and RWAs. In addition to the projects directly supporting MoHUA’s missions, the institute conducts a number of projects that feed new knowledge and insight into the work of the Ministry. Some of the notable projects are the NIUA–CIDCO Smart City Lab, the HUDCO Chair, Delhi Master Plan 2041, Sanitation and Capacity Building Platform (supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation), Innovation Hub for Urban WASH Solutions (supported by the USAID), Heritage-Based Economic Development Strategies (supported by the World Bank), and Child-Friendly Smart Cities initiative
supported by Bernard Van Leer Foundation; in addition to a number of other projects.
What according to you are the main challenges to bring urban transformation in the country? India is experiencing significant demographic changes. While about 31% of its population was living in urban areas in 2011, for the first time in the country’s history, the decadal growth in urban population (91 million) exceeded that of the rural population (90 million). If we overlook some definitional issues that distort the perceived scale of urbanisation, we are already looking at a vast field of unplanned and haphazard urban development. It took nearly 40 years for India’s urban population to rise by 230 million; it could take only half the time to add the next 250 million . Urban areas have emerged as dominant contributors to the national economy. Urbanisation is a necessary condition for economic growth as cities in India generate two-third of GDP, 90 per cent of tax revenues, and the majority of jobs, with just a third of the country’s population . The 12th Five Year Plan also states that urbanisation is central to India’s strategy of achieving faster and more inclusive growth – the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’ is driving a new attitude toward urbanisation – because agglomeration and densification of economic activities in urban agglomerations stimulates economic efficiencies and provides more opportunities for livelihood creation and sustenance. Urbanisation transforms the entire social milieu and increases avenues for entrepreneurship and employment compared to what is possible in dispersed rural areas. It thereby, enables faster inclusion of more people in the process of economic growth. It is therefore important to view urbanisation as an opportunity and ensure that the growth and expansion of urban areas is well-planned and sustainable.
[ egov.eletsonline.com ] The Largest Portal on e-Governance in Asia and the Middle East
NIUA PERSPECTIVE
Rapid urbanisation of our cities, however, has led to increasing densities in core city areas, on one hand, resulting in overburdening of existing infrastructure like housing, water supply, sanitation, transportation, energy, etc and hence, deteriorating quality of urban life. On the other hand, expanding city limits have resulted in fragmented development and degenerated peripheral growth beyond the city limits, where again the quality of life is compromised. Additionally, the risks cities are facing due to natural disasters, abnormal weather patterns, increasing pollution levels, global warming etc. are also serious challenges that require early preparedness.
non-urban services such as renewable energy, health services, education and skill development, and environment management – all contributing to the enhancement of ‘liveability’. The north-eastern States must find solutions for capacity building and community level management of local resources and municipal functions. The high level of education must be leveraged for improvement in urban management. The involvement of youth groups in finding local and frugal solutions must be emphasised.
To ensure sustainable urban transformation, city governments must be strengthened with clearly defined functions, the ability to set long term visions for the city and define short-term goals that can be matched by feasible actions. Urban local bodies must learn to generate their own resources and must be provided the autonomy to take independent decisions regarding investments and service delivery.
Smart cities must ensure that all core urban services -- such as water supply, sewerage, solid waste management, electricity supply, transport, housing etc. -- are provided efficiently and are accessible to all citizens who are willing to pay for the services. Such a scope and ambition can only be met through the use of ICT. The backbone of the Smart Cities Mission is the Digital India mission, which deploys e-governance as a fundamental concept. By promoting improved urban planning and management, e-governance enables convergence across all urban missions as well as other missions/schemes such as Solar Cities Mission, Integrated Power Development Scheme, Digital India Mission, Skill India, and Make in India.
If we focus on North-East, what can be done to bring transformation in urban sector keeping in mind the unique characteristics of the area? The Smart Cities Mission provides the cities in the North-East with a unique opportunity to invest in customised and indigenous solutions and innovations. These cities can be the originators of solutions that the entire Himalayan region can use, such as in decentralised sanitation systems, waste-to-energy, water harvesting and e-mobility solutions. The development of old markets into modern economic hubs is an important need. Adequate attention must be paid to disaster preparedness and risk mitigation in a fragile environment, and these must be anchored in the closely knit communities that create an inherent resilience. The SCM also encourages city governments to respond to traditionally
How ICT can play an important part in Smart City Programme?
The idea is to move beyond simplistic infrastructure creation and make use of technology to make operations smart – do more with fewer resources. The performance of a water supply system can be greatly enhanced if the quality of water can be checked through sensors and monitored through central control
Connect with us on
egovonline
@egovonline
egov magazine
rooms. Similarly, installation of smart meters will reduce wastage of this precious resource, ensuring that there is enough water for everyone. Introduction of mobile and online applications and 24X7 helplines will help citizens register their complaints and aid the civic authorities to provide solutions quicker. Smart cities are establishing integrated mobile-phone-based m-governance platforms for city information, engagement as well as citizen services. Examples of benefits are: (i) Improved transport services with real time information; (ii) City calendars, weather forecast and tourism assistance; (iii) Responsive communication between citizens, local bodies and emergency service providers such as police and ambulance; (iv) Public Wi-Fi, city search and various other services. ICT can also make public transport accessible to all. Citizens can receive critical information on their mobiles, ‘smart’ mobility cards can be used across all modes of travel, traffic can be optimised using smart signalling, and trip distances can be reduced using GIS and inter-modal integration. With a smart card or other digital tagging and GPS, the user of a public bike-sharing system is able to borrow a cycle from one station and return it to another station, making an easy payment.ICT enabled electric vehicles can provide last mile connectivity to Metro/Bus Transport System/park and ride facility. The world of smart solutions is vast and ever-evolving. The high calibre and availability of educated experts in the North-East can also create opportunities to create start-up hubs and innovation clusters. This is a unique opportunity, especially given the focus on the region as the centre of an ASEAN network.
MARCH 2018
39
URBAN DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE FROM NAGALAND
Kohima’s Tryst to BECOME a SMART CITY Dr Tohimanen Ozukum Head of the Department Directorate of Municipal Affairs Government of Nagaland
40
MARCH 2018
Having missed the bus twice, Nagaland State capital Kohima’s tryst for the ‘Smart City’ tag came to fruition when it finally managed to find a place in the Smart Cities Mission. Dr Tohimanen Ozukum, Head of the Department, Directorate of Municipal Affairs, Government of Nagaland in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN) shares his vision and the challenges that the city is facing to become a Smart City.
[ egov.eletsonline.com ] The Largest Portal on e-Governance in Asia and the Middle East
URBAN DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE FROM NAGALAND
How is your department ensuring Kohima’s urban development? Our main objective is to prepare implementable redevelopment plan. The second is to make Kohima a Smart City in reality with proper vehicle parking facility in all the 19 wards.
What projects have been taken forward to develop Kohima a Smart City? Construction of storm water drainage phase 1 has been completed in the city. This has protected the city from soil erosion and landslide. In fact ,the third party monitoring agency of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India has accredited this project as the best workmanship in hilly areas.
What major challenges are affecting Kohima’s urban growth? Land holding system is the major challenge affecting Kohima’s urban growth. There is not much government land and most of the land is either with the private individuals or community. Haphazard development is another challenge as there is no
ABOUT KOHIMA One of the oldest among the eleven districts of the State, Kohima is the first seat of modern administration as the Headquarters of Naga Hills District (then under Assam) with the appointment of G H Damant as Political Officer in 1879. When Nagaland became a full fledged state on 1st December, 1963, Kohima was christened as the capital of the State. Since then, parts of Kohima district have been carved out thrice - the first in 1973 when Phek District was created, then in 1998 Dimapur was carved out and declared as a separate district and it was in 2004 for the third time that Kohima district once again gave birth to one of the youngest districts in the state called Peren District. The name Kohima is so called because the Britishers could not pronounce its original name “KEWHIRA” which is the name of the village where Kohima town is located. Kohima village , also called ‘Bara Basti’ which is the second largest village in Asia forms the North-Eastern part of Kohima Urban area today.
CLIMATE Kohima features a more moderate version of a humid subtropical climate. Kohima has a pleasant and moderate climate - not too cold in winters and pleasant summers. December and January are the coldest months when frost occurs and in the higher altitudes, snowfall occurs occasionally. During peak summer months from July-August, temperature ranges an average of 80-90 Fahrenheit. Heavy rainfall occurs during summer. masterplan and implementation of building bye-law is a far cry. Lack of civic sense is another major challenge as people litter the city with trash. Awareness need to be made so that people make their surroundings clean.
What initiatives have been taken for waste management in the city? Decentralisation of sanitation to ward level has improved a lot in the Municipal Waste Management. At present, Kohima has 19 wards and the department has allotted Tata mobile vehicles to all the wards. Ward panchayats have been authorised to collect Rs 50 as sanitation fee. The collected amount is spent on maintenance of the vehicles and for the payment of remuneration to the drivers. The department has purchased 93 acres of fallow land and the solid waste is dumped in this area. A mini solid waste management plant has also been installed.
Connect with us on
egovonline
@egovonline
egov magazine
What future prospects are you looking for city’s urban development in the coming years? The Government of India has sanctioned Rs 107 crore for work. Another Rs 4 crore including Rs 2 crore from the State has been released for Kohima Smart City. Therefore, my department has submitted proposal to take up two multi-level vehicle parking and construction of a cultural hall under this scheme. Construction of storm water drainage under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) is in good progress. Detailed Project Report (DPR) for development of City Center in the 5.98 acres of Governemt land is also completed. Another DPR for Kohima Metro Cable is ready. Development of monorail is also under survey. These are some of the future prospects for Sustainable Urban development for Kohima.
MARCH 2018
41
NAMCHI MUNICIPAL COUNCIL PERSPECTIVE
Sikkim’s Namchi Aiming to Develop as Smart City Namchi Municipal Council (NMC) in Sikkim is mainly focussing on augmenting the pedestrian walkways integrated with foot over bridge with elements of universal access design. It is looking to add more paid parking infrastructures for the revenue generation, says Udai Chandra Rai, Chairman, Namchi Municipal Council, Government of Sikkim, in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN). Udai Chandra Rai
Chairman, Namchi Municipal Council, Government of Sikkim
“Our focus mainly entails around water security, pedestrian safely and friendly city, city resilient to the disaster and creation of ample revenue generation base to sustain the future growth of the Namchi Municipal Council.” 42
MARCH 2018
What measures have been taken by your department for the urban development of Namchi? After I assumed charge as the chairman of the NMC, there have been major changes in governance structure as well as enhancement in the revenue receipts on the NMC. Since most of the functions related to development and construction of physical infrastructural assets still lies with parent Urban Development and Housing Department, I have been able to bring about drastic change in organisational structures which has translated into the enhancement of the efficiency of service delivery mechanism of the Council.
What recent projects have been introduced by the Namchi Municipal Council under the Smart Cities Mission? Since the Namchi Municipal Council is 50 per cent owner of the constituted Special Purpose Vehicle – Namchi Smart City Limited, therefore all the projects envisaged under Smart City proposal is entirely for the betterment of the Council. For me, the major impactful projects would entail the Integrated Water supply augmentation with the strategy to conserve and reuse by rainwater harvesting system. Another major impactful project is of the installation of city wide LED based
[ egov.eletsonline.com ] The Largest Portal on e-Governance in Asia and the Middle East
NAMCHI MUNICIPAL COUNCIL PERSPECTIVE
streetlights integrating it with rooftop Solar PV. All these projects will start by the first week of March 2018.
What initiatives have been taken by NMC for Solid Waste Management? We have already established best and efficient Solid Waste Management system. The collection efficiency has been our prime focus, there is door-to-door waste collection, etc. All the prime public and commercial establishments have to have mandatory solid waste collection facilities where NMC collects it on a daily basis. The name and contact details of the concerned officers related to the waste disposal issues and grievances have been put in the strategic locations where citizens can call them up any point of time. Also, we have been penalising the citizens if they are found dumping garbage in public spaces. We have collected substantial amount of revenue by means of imposing the penalties to the defaulters. Soon, we will be installing the composting plant where the waste from the vegetables will be used. Lastly, we are very concerned about the hazardous, bio-medical waste and e-waste. These wastes have to be handled scientifically.
How Namchi Municipal Council is working on eradicating the water scarcity problem in the city? The major focus of the Smart City Proposal is on the augmentation of existing water supply distribution network considering the water stressed situation of Namchi Municipal Council. Till the project gets completed, we have strived to promote the conservation of water, rational use of the water and promoting the idea of rainwater harvesting system. However, let me iterate that the water supply, distribution and management is still
“The major focus of the Smart City proposal is on the augmentation of existing water supply distribution network considering the water stressed situation of Namchi Municipal Council.� the mandate of the government department and NMC is just trying to propagate the idea of its conservation and management.
How Council is taking forward the concept of urban transport in Namchi? Namchi has a Council instead of Corporation since it has the geographical boundary of 7.14 sq km out of which only approximately 800 sq meter houses the central business
Connect with us on
egovonline
@egovonline
egov magazine
district. Also the average trip length within the Namchi Municipal Council is 2 km. Therefore, we are mainly focussing on the augmenting of the pedestrian walkways integrated with foot over bridge with elements of universal access design. Further, priority will be to provide to the world class pedestrian infrastructures enabling the promotion of non-motorised transport. This entails our vision of sustainable urban mobility strategy. Complimenting this, we shall also be looking to add more paid parking infrastructures for the revenue generation avenue as well as enabling them for tourist and visitors.
What are Council’s plans to develop Namchi as a Smart City? Since the Special Purpose Vehicle is manned by very efficient professional who have been working tirelessly with us from the time of its preparatory stage, therefore, we are very clear about our strategy and plans as to how Namchi Municipal Council requires to be developed as a Smart City. Our focus mainly entails around water security, pedestrian safely and friendly city, city resilient to the disaster and creation of ample revenue generation base to sustain the future growth of the Namchi Municipal Council.
MARCH 2018
43
SPECIAL REPORT
Smart Cities Set to Elevate Life in Northeast India
The inclusion of nine northeastern cities in the Smart Cities’ Project of the Narendra Modi Government has given a boost to the Centre’s ‘Act East’ policy while offering a big scope for investment and employment opportunities. Soma Chakraborty of Elets News Network (ENN) takes a holistic look while looking at challenges as well.
I
44
n a nationwide contest held in four phases, nine cities from the “underdeveloped” northeastern region made their entries into the “100 Smart Cities”, defeating “developed” cities like Bengaluru and Kolkata. The nine cities are Guwahati (Assam), Imphal (Manipur), Agartala (Tripura), Kohima (Nagaland), Aizawl (Mizoram), Pasighat and Itanagar (both Arunachal Pradesh) and Gangtok and Namchi (both Sikkim).
826 crore,” Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Housing and Urban Affairs, told reporters in New Delhi recently.
Till date, the Central Government has approved funds of Rs 14,124 crore for 464 projects which will be taken up as part of the Smart City Mission in the Northeastern region.
The “impactful” projects, which include the Brahmaputra Riverfront development project and the Kohima Ropeway project, have been taken up expeditiously.
“The Brahmaputra Riverfront development project alone cost Rs
Aizawl (Mizoram)
MARCH 2018
Puri had recently reviewed the progress of various projects to be undertaken in the Smart Cities in the Northeastern region and had indentified 24 of the 464 projects costing Rs 3,706.05 crore as “impactful”.
Mizoram’s capital city Aizawl made it to the Smart Cities list in last June. Aizawl, which has a population of about 4.5 lakh, is India’s first city with a ‘no honking’ policy. Just after the announcement of its inclusion in the Smart Cities, Mizoram Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Secretary Dr C Vanlalramsanga had told the media that the focus in Aizawl would be to improve urban mobility in the congested areas by way of multi-level car parking, underground road and ICT-based public service delivery. Though the Mizoram Government is fully prepared to implement the Smart City project, there exist some challenges as well.
[ egov.eletsonline.com ] The Largest Portal on e-Governance in Asia and the Middle East
SPECIAL REPORT
Vanlalramsanga, who is also the state Planning and Programme Implementation Secretary, admits, “Providing urban infrastructure is very costly here due to our topography, location and poor transportation system... Moreover, due to heavy and prolong rainy season and topographical disadvantage, most of our urban infrastructure requires high cost of maintenance.” However, he is optimistic that “the initiative undertaken by the Government with people’s support will put urban development scenario in the State to a comfortable and sustainable level in the coming years”.
Pasighat and Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh) The centurion town of Pasighat, the headquarters of East Siang district, made it to the ‘Smart Cities’ list along with Aizawl in June 2017. Pasighat, one of the oldest towns in the State with a population of around 50,000, is the first town from Arunachal Pradesh to figure in the list. Arunachal’s capital city Itanagar which was included in the ‘Smart Cities’ this January, is the latest entrant in the list. Terming the selection of Itanagar as a “perfect New Year gift” to the residents, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu had said, “By selecting Itanagar, the Centre’s intentions in developing Arunachal Pradesh has become very clear and positive.” Both Pasighat and Itanagar each will get central assistance of Rs 100 crore per year for five years.
Gangtok And Namchi (Sikkim) Sikkim’s Namchi and capital city Gangtok have got the Centre’s approval to become ‘smart’ While developing tourism and traffic management will be the priorities for Gangtok, developing and
implementing an Integrated Water Supply and Distribution System is on the top of the agenda list for Namchi under the Smart Cities Mission . “Gangtok is also working on effective solid waste collection and management…the focus is also on the development of existing pedestrian walkways retrofitting with universal access design features and appropriate streetlights,” says Navin
“In a public meeting in Nagaland recently, Prime Minister Modi had said that his Government will spend around Rs 1,800 crore for making Kohima a Smart City.” Rai, Joint Chief Town Planner, Nodal Officer- Smart Cities Mission, Urban Development and Housing Department, Government of Sikkim. Speaking on challenges, the bureaucrat stated, “There is always a challenge when we try to intervene in the existing urban building footprints…the primary challenge would be the limited availability of land parcel for creation of impactful projects and the geographical terrain. There are also gaps in the existing institutional framework.”
Kohima (Nagaland) After missing the bus twice, Nagaland’s capital Kohima’s tryst for the ‘smart city’ tag came to fruition in
Connect with us on
egovonline
@egovonline
egov magazine
2016. In a public meeting in Nagaland recently, Prime Minister Modi had said that his Government will spend around Rs 1,800 crore for making Kohima a Smart City. Like in other parts of Northeast, connectivity is a major issue in Nagaland which is a major challenge in making Kohima smart. Admitting it Modi said, “We have planned to invest more than Rs 10,000 crore in the roads of Nagaland.’’
Imphal (Manipur) According to Manipur Government officials, improving traffic condition in the State capital Imphal is the top priority in the Smart City project. Imphal was included in the Smart City list in 2015. The Centre has recently released Rs 106 crore for the Imphal Smart City Mission. According to observers, poor connectivity and insurgency are the main challenges in making Imphal a Smart City.
Guwahati (Assam) and Agartala (Tripura) The Centre has approved Rs 2,293.35 crore for 11 projects under Guwahati Smart City project. According to media reports, South Korea has also evinced interest to engage in the Smart City project for Guwahati. Overhauling the traffic system and tackling the issue of urban flooding are the top priorities in the Guwahati Smart City Mission. Under the Smart Cities Mission , Agartala Municipal Corporation has started innovating to improve citizens’ quality of life with things like LED lighting, disaster management and solid waste management. As part of the project, a total of 3,200 LED lights were installed in Agartala, the capital city of Tripura.
MARCH 2018
45
URBAN DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE FROM SIKKIM
Sikkim Ensuring Sustained Urban Development Navin Rai Joint Chief Town Planner, Nodal Officer- Smart Cities Mission, Urban Development and Housing Department Government of Sikkim
The Government of Sikkim has already established free e-learning Computer Centre for its citizens to prepare them to embrace plethora of IT and ICT interventions that Smart Cities Mission will be launching in the days to come, says Navin Rai, Joint Chief Town Planner, Nodal Officer- Smart Cities Mission, Urban Development and Housing Department, Government of Sikkim, in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN). What is your vision for the urban development of Sikkim?
“It’s been always our effort to promote and propagate the planned urban growth and envisage having a uniform urban development in Sikkim by using various instruments of urban planning practices.” 46
MARCH 2018
Sikkim has one of the fastest rates of urbanisation in India (as per the census 2011). On the contrary, out of entire geographical area of approximately 7,000 sq km only 7-8 percentage of the land mass is habitable which leads to the increased pressure on the existing land mass and natural resources. In order to ensure the balanced and sustainable urban development in the State, it’s the right time for the professionals and policymakers to capitalise on the several national flagship mission targeted for urban development especially like Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), HFA and most importantly Smart Cities Mission. It’s been always our effort to promote and propagate the planned urban growth and envisage having a uniform urban development in Sikkim by using various instruments of urban planning practices. We are constantly striving towards the
creation of sustainable urban growth ensuring the livable and vibrant society for urban dwellers, conducive and enabling environment to the economic activities, ensuring the safety of the city dwellers, creating more avenues for the employment, inclusive and democratic cities environment. To achieve all this, we have adopted a strategic urban planning development strategy which encompasses all the frameworks which would enable us to achieve the desired outcomes. By and large, my vision for the urban development of Sikkim is to strive towards inclusive, comprehensive and environmental sustainable development.
How e-governance is driving Sikkim in its urban development? Despite having technology savvy citizens, openness of the Government to embrace the platforms of e-governance to optimise the service delivery efficiency to its citizens, data mining within the government organisation, Sikkim is no exception like many north
[ egov.eletsonline.com ] The Largest Portal on e-Governance in Asia and the Middle East
URBAN DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE FROM SIKKIM
eastern States which are generally plagued by existing bad connectivity of the mobile network as well as slower bandwidth. Nonetheless, at the micro level, Sikkim has prioritised setting up of spatial data sets in the digital format bringing more efficiency creation of spatial data base of urban footprints. This has resulted in increasing the efficiency in planning of utilities, project formulation and updating the data sets of the properties of the city. On the contrary, the visibility of the e-governance as a driving force in delivery of citizen’s services, it is yet to yield more tangible results which is perhaps owing to the lack of uniform platform in interoperability of data sets and government policies.
already worked upon. Gangtok is also working for effective solid waste collection and management.
However, on the other hand, having such huge spatial datasets is surely going to help in integrating the e-governance dimension in the shortest possible time in days to come.
Furthermore, Gangtok Smart City has mainly tourist oriented economic base so the focus is also on the development of existing pedestrian walkways retrofitting with universal access design features and appropriate streetlights.
What plans are being formulated to develop Gangtok as a Smart City?
What challenges are posing hurdles in effective urban development of the State?
The Smart City Proposal of all the selected cities are by and large have the same components of the infrastructural developments primarily consisting of Pan City and Area Based Development integration with ICT components. However, each city has its own unique character and challenges. Like Gangtok Municipal Corporation has the focus on the redevelopment of the existing Old Hospital area as an iconic city centre having facilities like open green spaces, urban arts, iconic landmark structure, multi-purpose adaptable space, open gym, local food courts and parking for more than thousand vehicles. Apart from this, the main challenge of the existing congestion of the city during peak travel time is
There is always a challenge when we try to intervene in the existing urban building footprints. On the contrary, it’s much easier to implement the projects in green field developments. To sum it up, the primary challenge would be the limited availability of land parcel for creation of impactful projects, its geographical terrain, and the aspiration to own the car of the local population. There are gaps in the existing institutional framework like in Namchi Municipal Council and Namchi Smart City Limited.
What special programmes are you planning for in the coming years? The Urban Development and Housing Department is already working towards the Monorail projects from a Ranipool
Connect with us on
egovonline
@egovonline
egov magazine
(almost 11 kms to enter into city) to upcoming Central Secretariat. Once operational, this will definitely bring about the radical transformation to the city and ultimate user experiences to the citizens. Adding to this, the Government of Sikkim through our department has already established the Free E-learning Computer Centre to its citizens to prepare them to embrace the plethora of IT and ICT interventions that Smart Cities Mission will be launching in days to come. In general, the mandate of the department is to manage, administer and ensure the balanced growth of the urban centre of Sikkim. The department would especially be looking at formulation of several planning and policy frameworks for the State in line with best global urban practices, setting up the state-ofthe-art spatial urban data repository and paving way for sustainable development. (Navin Rai possesses B Arch (Hons) from NITP, M Planning (Environment) from SPA-D and currently associated with London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE, UK) as Bloomberg fellow for Public Policy in LSE cities under the Department of Sociology).
MARCH 2018
47
UP INVESTORS SUMMIT 2018
UP INVESTORS
SUMMIT Paves way for Rs 4.28 Lakh Crore of INVESTMENT The Government of Uttar Pradesh organised Uttar Pradesh Investors Summit on 21-22 February which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The summit witnessed the announcement of more than `4.28 lakh crore investment from various business tycoons and the State Government also signed important Memoranda of Understanding in various segments, writes Arpit Gupta of Elets News Network (ENN).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the UP Investors Summit in the presence of UP Governor Ram Naik, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath
48
MARCH 2018
[ egov.eletsonline.com ] The Largest Portal on e-Governance in Asia and the Middle East
UP INVESTORS SUMMIT 2018
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Governor Ram Naik, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and CM Yogi Adityanath at the summit
of employment. For this purpose, the MoUs have been signed by 34 investors making a pledge of investment of Rs 6,970 crore.
Tourism 47 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed for tourism Addressing a session on ‘TourismLeveraging Cultural Heritage and Modern & Progressive Uttar Pradesh’ during the Investors Summit, the Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Dinesh Sharma, said that the cultural, historical and religious heritage of Uttar Pradesh can be developed from tourism point of view on Public Private Partnership model through investors. He invited investors to come to UP and prepare package tours to attract tourists to the State. He said that the investors will be provided the facility of single window clearance. The other Deputy Chief Minister, Keshav Prasad Maurya called upon the investors to invest in the State, assuring them all facilities and security. Addressing the session, the UP Tourism Minister, Rita Bahuguna Joshi, said the State Government is making vigorous efforts for development of tourism and making the State the most preferred destination for domestic and international tourists. She said that the
Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking at the summit
branding of Uttar Pradesh is being done at global level. She invited the investors to invest in religious and spiritual, Bundelkhand, wildlife and eco-tourism sectors.
Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology
IT & Electronics
MoUs of Rs 6,970 crore signed in Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Sector The UP Government has taken an effective initiative in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector for its development and also for the creation
Connect with us on
egovonline
@egovonline
On this occasion Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel has stated that with the help of these steps there would be a wave of development which, inturn, would help the country make strides. Addressing the ‘Special Plenary on Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology: Strengthening the Ecosystem in UP, the Union Minister Patel, said that the present State Government is serious about development of pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector. She said that the summit will pave the way for development in the State. Development of UP will speed up development of the country, she added.
egov magazine
25 MoUs amounting to total investment of Rs 55,000 crore signed under IT sector In the presence of the Union Communication Minister, Manoj Sinha, and the Deputy Chief Minister and IT & Electronics, Dr Dinesh Sharma, as many
MARCH 2018
49
UP INVESTORS SUMMIT 2018
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the expo area at the summit
as 25 MoUs have been signed in the UP Investors Summit between the Uttar Pradesh Government and various electronic units. On this occasion, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Dinesh Sharma, put forth his views on “The Rising of Electronic Sector in Uttar Pradesh: Creating hub to serve the world” and said that the Uttar Pradesh Government, along with making efforts for the industrial development in the State is also making efforts regularly for social and economic development of the people and has made several efforts for providing clean environment to investors and entrepreneurs in the State and ensuring procedural transparency. Decision has been taken by the “Steering Committee for Clusters” for obtaining final approval from the Government of India for setting up electronics manufacturing cluster in Ecotec-6 of Greater Noida. In this cluster, companies from China and Taiwan will be setting up their production units by investing about Rs 3,000 crore. The construction work of cluster is proposed to start from March 2018. He said that employment generation for about three lakh people in the State will be ensured by 2022.
50
MARCH 2018
launched ‘’e-Sathi Mobile App’’. The app, developed by UP unit of NIC, will provide about 20 services. Addressing a session on ‘’IT & ITeS: Serving the World’’, the Minister said that the positive ambience for investment created by the UP Government would prove to be a milestone in future. India can be transformed into the most developed country only by harnessing the power of technology.
Start-up
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressing the summit
22 MoUs of Rs 21,000 Crore signed in Electronic Sector As many as 22 MoUs worth Rs 21,000 crore were signed for electronics sector in presence of the Union Minister for IT & Electronics, Ravi Shankar Prasad, and the UP Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for IT and Electronics, Dr Dinesh Sharma during the Investors’ Summit. On the occasion, Ravi Shankar Prasad and Dr Dinesh Sharma also
Speaking on the topic of ‘’UP Gearing up for Start-up Revolution: the Next Big Opportunity’’ organised during the Investors’ Summit, the UP Minister of State for Information Technology, Mohsin Raza, said that the youth would take the country forward on the path of development. He said that technology and start-up played a very vital role in development. India is promoting setting up of BPO units under the BPO promotion scheme. Raza said the State Government has generated an amicable atmosphere for growth of IT industry and start-ups by providing attractive financial and non-financial incentives for this purpose. The response that the summit has
[ egov.eletsonline.com ] The Largest Portal on e-Governance in Asia and the Middle East
UP INVESTORS SUMMIT 2018
received shows that present State Government is very serious about development of the State and leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to make Uttar Pradesh the most preferred destination for entrepreneurs and investors.
Civil aviation Addressing the session on “Civil aviation in UP” at Investors Summit-2018, the Central Minister for Civil Aviation, Ashok Gajpati Raju, stated that India has reached at third place after US and China in the civil aviation sector in the world. The Central Government is facilitating the investors on a large scale. The State Minister for Civil Aviation, Nand Gopal Nandi stated, that there are airports out of 25 selected in RCS second cycle by Government of India, in Uttar Pradesh. This will be of immense help in the next Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. He further stated that the UP Government is committed to the development of facilities of maintenance, repair and overhauling in this sector and would provide cheap and competitive services to the common man.
President Ram Nath Kovind at the valedictory session of UP Investors Summit
crop loan redemption of small and marginal farmers. He said that for all industrial and economic activities, especially in MSME sector, the bankers are a prerequisite. He said that the state government has launched novel One District, One Product scheme. The bankers’ cooperation would be a must for proper implementation of this scheme.
NRI MSME To benefit the people sitting on the last rung of social ladder, banking facility would be brought within their reach by opening 25,000 outlets all over the State. Intention and thinking of the UP Government is crystal clear with regard to these sections of society. It is committed to bring the people of economically weaker sections to the mainstream of society. UP Finance Minister, Rajesh Agrawal, stated in a session organised during Investors’ Summit. He said that to ameliorate the lot of farmers several welfare measures have been taken. Prominent among these measures is
The Minister of State for External affairs, Gen (Retd.) V K Singh has said that non-resident Indians, especially from Uttar Pradesh, have a golden opportunity to establish business in the State. “The Government of Uttar Pradesh is offering all necessary facilities for investment and it is a safe step to create business relationship with the native state,” he suggested NRIs. Addressing NRI session at UP Investors’ Summit Gen Singh said that those willing to earn money from foreign countries must get skilled for their safe stay abroad. Gen V K Singh launched a website upnrigrs.in for solution to problems being faced by
Connect with us on
egovonline
@egovonline
NRIs in doing business and their protection. Besides, NRIs also had a panel discussion on the topic of ‘Ummeedon Ka Pradesh Uttar Pradesh’ (the state of hopes-Uttar Pradesh).
Skill Development The Minister for Skill Development and Professional Studies Chetan Chauhan stated that the government is bent upon creating an army of skilled professionals out of 13 crore youths of the State. He further added that his Government is committed to the slogan from “Hardware to Software-UP’s youth everywhere”. Addressing the representatives of various companies, he stressed the need of creating a “Hub of skilled Human Resources” in the State. He made the announcement of connecting every intermediate and higher schools falling under 15 km area of the nearest skill development centre, under “easy enabling and skilled youth” concept. He informed that various agreements had been signed with 19 companies like CCD, Maruti, L&T etc, to train the students under MoUs and they are trying to add 50 more companies in this plan.
egov magazine
MARCH 2018
51
FOCUS: JHARKHAND
JHARKHAND Opening Doors for New Avenues in Urban Development Skill training is being provided in all 44 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). Approximately,one lakh beneficiaries have completed training till date. Job fairs and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) are being organised for Wage-Employment of trained beneficiaries, says Arun Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary, Urban Development and Housing Department, Government of Jharkhand in conversation with Rajbala of Elets News Network (ENN).
Arun Kumar Singh
Principal Secretary Urban Development and Housing Department Government of Jharkhand
What initiatives have been taken by the Urban Development and Housing Department, Jharkhand to provide civic amenities in urban areas and for the deprived sections of society?
“In Swachh Survekshan, 2017, 434 cities participated in which Jamshedpur was awarded the cleanest city in East Zone with a population less than 10 Lakhs and Chas was awarded cleanest city in East zone with a population less than two lakhs.” 52
MARCH 2018
The Urban Development and Housing Department, Government of Jharkhand, is committed for comprehensive urban development in the State. Accordingly, a number of initiatives have been taken by the department to provide civic amenities in urban areas and for the deprived section of the society which are:
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna- Urban: Providing houses to urban poor through: l Slum redevelopment l Credit linked subsidy scheme l Affordable housing in partnership l Beneficiary led-construction Swachh Bharat Mission- Urban l Proving IHHL (Individual House Hold Latrines), l Community Toilets and Public Toilets l Solid and liquid waste management system
Initiatives taken up in Swachh Bharat Mission l Sanitation Committee: Ward Sanitation Committees formed in all ULBs for proper planning and implementation of sanitation at ward level. l Integration with other Schemes: State has done an innovation thereof sanctioning community toilets consisting of 4,050 seats from 14th FC (with a unit cost of 2.5 Lakhs per seats) l Self-sustainable Community Toilets Model: A self-sustainable model
consisting of Skill training centre, shops and community toilet has been designed and developed by the State Government for all ULBs. l Google mapping of Community/ Public Toilets: All Community Toilets/Public Toilets are mapped in Google for easy accessibility of citizens. l Grievance Redressal: We have a public grievance management system. Toll for Grievance Redressal “Swachhata App”
[ egov.eletsonline.com ] The Largest Portal on e-Governance in Asia and the Middle East
FOCUS: JHARKHAND
AMRUT l We were the third State in the country to implement these reforms l Drinking water to all through water supply system l Drainage and integrated sewage system l Development of children parks
How have you implemented the 74th Constitutional Amendment to provide urban activities and services in the State? Incorporation of the 12th schedule in the constitution through 74th Constitutional amendment has brought various urban activities and services such as urban planning including town planning, regulation of land use, planning for economic and social development, safeguarding the interests of weaker sections of society, providing civic amenities, promotion of cultural, educational and aesthetic aspects etc, within the purview of urban local bodies. Urban Development and Housing Department has a crucial role to ensure rapid implementation of urban development initiatives. To undertake these tasks successfully, the department has taken many initiatives. Presently there are 45 urban local bodies consisting of 9 Municipal developed by Mnistry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) implemented successfully in all ULBs. Till date 1,33,947 citizens are registered in Swachhata App and 3,01,773 complaints are resolved under SLA(Service level agreement) out of 3,54,817 complaints. l Citizen Feedback Devices in Community/ Public Toilets: ICT-based feedback polling station for gathering public feedback on public and community toilets Installation in all major cities. l Smart Bins: One reverse vending
Corporations, 20 Nagar Parishads, 15 Nagar Panchayats and 1 Notified Areas Committee (NAC) in addition to 2 development Authorities (RRDA & MADA) responsible for implementation of the urban development activities in their respective areas in Jharkhand.
been captured made available to the citizen.
Urban Reforms: Decentralisation of power has been ensured through the recent enactment of Municipal Act. Now the urban local bodies may take appropriate decision in all spheres of activities which necessitate improvement of their administration skill and ability to take correct decision.
Governance through electronic medium is proposed for prompt, transparent, leakage free and effective delivery of services particularly in the field of licensing, certification, revenue collection, expenditure, resource mobilisation etc. It requires introduction of software based computerisation and networking of the department with the end delivery point at Urban Local Bodies (ULB) level.
Accrual based double entry accounting system, instant transfer of fund to functionaries, e-governance, rewards and others etc, are the part of the reform agenda need to be strengthen in the State. This provision would facilitate in achieving the goal of ULBs self sustainability.
This department covers the following services/management functions, being performed by municipal bodies; l Registration and issue of Birth/ Death Certificate l Payment of Property Tax, Utility Bills l Grievances and Suggestions l Building Plan Approvals l Procurement and monitoring of projects l Accounting System l Personnel Information System A dedicated web page has been developed for each of the ULBs in which all the necessary information has machines for process of solid PET and aluminum/steel waste installed in Ranchi as a pilot. l Vehicle Tracking System: All Soild Waste Management vehicles are under Vehicle Tracking System for proper monitoring installed in (534) of all ULBs. l Swachh Competitions: Various competitions like Swachh Hotel, Swachh Dharmik Parishar, Swachh Hospital, Swachh RWA/Muhalla, Swachh Super Market/Market/ Hat, Swachh School are organised to promote competition in sanitation.
Connect with us on
egovonline
@egovonline
Property Tax Reforms: To bring professionalism in the assessment and collection, the State Government has appointed tax collection agencies to increase tax collection from own sources covering holding tax, water user charges, license fee and advertisement tax. To ensure that work is being carried out efficiently, the State Government has also appointment PMU for revenue l Jharkhand Shahri Swachhata Purskar: Jharkhand Shahri Swachhata Purskar is announced for ULBs to create awareness and competition among stall sanitation sector. l Sanitation Book: Book on Sanitation for class 1 to 5 are prepared for sanitation awareness among children. l Success Stories: Coffee Table Book prepared on success stories of IHHL beneficiaries.
egov magazine
MARCH 2018
53
FOCUS: JHARKHAND
augmentation to ensure that own tax is increased and new innovative mechanisms suggested to increase the revenue are being implemented. This has lead to increase number of assessed household from 3.43 Lakh to 4.63 lakh, at an average of 35 per cent till 31st December, 2017. This has further lead to increase the collection from own revenues from Rs 140 crore to Rs 189 crores. In the financial year 2017-18, total collection from own revenue will increase off to at least Rs 255 crores primarily due to increase in number of assessed household and new innovative sources like revenue from mobile tower and OFC and many other interventions like tapping of sources not explored till date.
Mango (Jamshedpur) Water Supply project The Jharkhand Government has a vision to ensure safe drinking water and its equitable distribution to the citizens. The aim is also to bring continuous improvements in the level of service to upgrade conventional water supply system into superior 24x7 water supply system. The Urban Development department has taken initiatives in this direction and working on the project feasibility to evaluate the project from various perspectives. Feasibility and project sustainability are key aspects in the success of PPP water supply project and therefore capital and operation and maintenance investments estimates and their recovery mechanism is under progress and evaluation. Like other successful projects in India, revenues will be generated through central, State, other funding options and a suitable and comfortable tariff structure for consumers will be developed. The Government intends to implement it on PPP mode and is working in this direction.
What are the key elements to develop any state into a ‘Smart State’? What planning and
54
MARCH 2018
schemes have been adopted by your department to achieve as well as improve living conditions of the State? Key elements to develop any State into a ‘Smart State’ are:l Adequate water supply. l Assured electricity supply. l Sanitation facilities, including waste management. l Efficient mobility and public transport. l Affordable housing for poor. l Robust IT-connectivity and e-governance. l Environment friendly policies. l Safety and security of citizen particularly children and elderly. l Adequate health and education facilities. l Leveraging technology to ensure good governance. We are on top position to execute Smart City projects in India.
Share with us the schemes and initiatives executed to uplift the conditions of urban poor. Skill training is being provided in all 44 ULBs. Approximately,one lakh beneficiaries have completed training till date. Job-fair and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) are being organised for Wage-Employment of trained beneficiaries. As part of the social mobilisation and institution development component, 4554 Self Help Groups have been formed till date.
Total 27,779 street vendors have been identified and 22,012 identity cards have been distributed. Capacity building to street vendors, their linkage with social security schemes and development of vending zone is being undertaken. Under scheme of shelter for urban homeless, 26 shelter homes are made operational, 18 shelter homes are under construction and 8 new shelters have been recently sanctioned.
What initiatives have you undertaken vis-a-vis Smart City and Swachch Bharat drives? For Ranchi, the greenfield area also called ABD site, is being developed in a separate part of the city within an area of 656.3 acres. For pan-city also, we have undertaken various initiatives. Together, these are known as “Impactful Projects” Overall, we are currently under process for executing projects worth approximately Rs 3,000 crores for various initiatives under Ranchi Smart City.
Swachh Bharat Mission In Swachh Survekshan, 2017, 434 cities participated in which Jamshedpur was awarded the cleanest city in East zone with a population less than 10 Lakhs and Chas was awarded cleanest city in East zone with a population less than two lakhs. Results of the survey and current progress confirmed that a major transformation in respect of sanitation is taking place in Jharkhand. All urban areas of Jharkhand have been self-declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) on 2nd October, 2017, which is two years before the target set by Government of India, i.e., 2nd Oct 2019. We are third after Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat to declare all urban areas as ODF. Total 2,10,081 Individual Household Latrine (IHHL) has been constructed in mission period against the target of 1,61,713.
[ egov.eletsonline.com ] The Largest Portal on e-Governance in Asia and the Middle East
SPECIAL ARTICLE
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh unveiling the brochure of Elets Smart City Summit - Naya Raipur
Chhattisgarh since its inception has been “talk of the town� because of unique citizen centric initiatives under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh. The State has witnessed many firsts in terms of policies and programmes motivating Elets to organise Smart City Summit, Naya Raipur, writes Susmriti Sahu of Elets News Network (ENN).
Connect with us on
Elets to Organise Smart City Summit, Naya Raipur egovonline
@egovonline
egov magazine
MARCH 2018
55
SPECIAL ARTICLE
Capitol Complex, Naya Raipur
T
his time the State is in news To understand the unmatchable development and because of its unique project progress of Naya Raipur and to provide a platform where “Super Smart Cities”. The NRDA officials and industry representatives will share Government has decided to transform their views about the smart products, services and NAYA RAIPUR three of its biggest cities into Smart utilities that has made Naya Raipur recognisable in India Cities (Rajnandgaon, Korba and Bhilai). and around the globe, Elets Technomedia Private Ltd is organising Naya Chhattisgarh has joined other States Raipur Smart City Summit on 6-7th April 2018. like Haryana and Maharashtra to Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh will chair an industry roundtable to discuss develop Smart Cities on its own by the investment opportunities in Naya Raipur as an integral part of the utilising its own fund. The Government summit. The Summit will provide a platform to meet the representatives has decided to allocate a budget of Rs Dr. Raman Singh from Shri Smart Rajesh Munat Cities and discuss the ample opportunities in Chhattisgarh 3,908 crore for churning these three under one roof. cities into Smart Cities. The project Experience the Unprecedented will be on ground in the comingSmart Utilities and Unmatchable Investment Opportunities financial year. budget session of around Rs 450 Bilaspur #SmartCityNayaRaipur crores for Naya Raipur Development Authority. Raipur, Bilaspur and Naya Raipur have The judicial capital of Chhattisgarh has already been selected by the Central been selected in third round of Smart Government under the Smart Cities Cities Mission. The Smart City under Along with all world class smart Mission. making is in preliminary stage and living utilities, Naya Raipur has preparing its journey to become one of incredible investment opportunities the smartest cities of India. Tender for with unmatchable business Naya Raipur Project Management Consultants has oriented plans and subsidies, been floated and detailed planning is providing a sustainable base for Naya Raipur is the the first greenfield been done by the officials to smartly business growth. capital city of India outfitted with all utilise Rs 4,000 crore fund keeping the world class framework and future need and existing infrastructure innovation in light of most advanced Raipur into consideration. Full fledge work is techniques. All the while, it is expected to start from April 2018. guaranteed that the city immovably Raipur Smart City Limited (RSCL) keep ensconced the culture, values and has been working towards making diversity of the land in its spirit. The the city smart in the impending The State Government is dedicated to city is also selected under the Smart times. RSCL has wisely addressed provide its citizens smart living utilities. Cities Mission in the third round and the most vital aspect while making In the series, Chief Minister Dr Raman will come up with many new a Smart City – its citizens. The city Singh has announced an extra budget of innovative projects soon. Additionally, is progressing under Smart Cities Rs 413 crore for the development of the the State Government has made a Mission with many ongoing three centre approved Smart Cities (i.e separate allocation in the current projects. Naya Raipur, Raipur and Bilaspur). CONFERENCE | AWARDS | EXPO
6-7 April 2018
HOST PARTNER
ORGANISER
POWERED BY
Hon’ble Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh
Cabinet Minister of Chhattisgarh
56
MARCH 2018
[ egov.eletsonline.com ] The Largest Portal on e-Governance in Asia and the Middle East
HOST PARTNER HOST PARTNER
ONFERENCE
REPORT
ORGANISER ORGANISER
57
ONFERENCE
REPORT
mit, Smart City Sum inaugurating the h ar pal ig ici Al un r, M ne h io ner, Aligar al Commiss icipal Commissio Sharma, Division ect un a oj M dr Pr a, , an m ur ar Ch Ga h Sh in as Subh ntosh Kumar Estonia, Sach Sa of of y ss ce ba en d es Em an , pr n ts Legislatio Investmen Aligarh in the tion, Policy and Advisor-Trade & isa , rd hl da . Ba an nk kit St Ba An t ed n, ICT- Relat evelopmen Corporatio Expert, Asian D Cooperation on T EU IC l a di na In tio r, Na to r, na ga Coordi Harshita Bhatna
To highlight Smart City projects in Aligarh and the progress the ‘City of Locks’ is making under the Smart Cities Mission, Aligarh Municipal Corporation in association with Elets Technomedia Private Limited, organised the Smart City Summit, Aligarh recently. The Divisional Commissioner of Aligarh Santosh Kumar Sharma inaugurated the Summit flanked by Ankit Bahl, Advisor, Trade and Investment, Embassy of Estonia; Sachin Gaur, Project Coordinator, India EU Cooperation on ICT- Related Standardisation, Policy & Legislation and Harshita Bhatnagar, National ICT expert, Asian Development Bank. The conference was attended by Gaurav Antil, Joint Commissioner, Municipal Corporation of Gurugram, Ravi Kumar, Deputy general Manager, Bharat Electronics Limited and Awaneesh Sharma, Commissioner, Moradabad Municipal Corporation. From the private industries, there was participation from Eon electronics who expressed their wish to be a part of Aligarh Smart City and Hyderabad-based Automotive Environment Solutions. There was a roundtable between Aligarh Smart City officials and private companies’ representatives. This was 25th Smart City Summit organised by Elets. More than 30 Government and private speakers participated in the summit who spoke on different components of Smart Cities.
58
ONFERENCE
REPORT
Official Launch of the Special issue of eGov magazine by the dignitaries
Inaug u Realis ral: Aligarh ing th e Sma Towards rt City Dream
SANTOSH KUMAR SHARMA
Municipal Commissioner, Aligarh Municipal Corporation Aligarh has been selected under the Smart Cities Mission. Aligarh Smart City Limited was formed to expedite Smart City projects. We are going to select the Project Management Consultants for the projects. Integrated Traffic Management System is one of the key points to be taken up in Aligarh. E-governance will be used to link all the important services on a single platform. Smart roads, footpath, cycle track, restricted vehicle zone, Wi-Fi junction area and solar energy projects will be taken up first so that environment sustainability can start.
59
ONFERENCE
REPORT
SPECIAL ADDRESS
Building Smart Cities by Leveraging Technology and Innovation: Importance of International Collaborations & Experiences
SACHIN GAUR
SUBHASH CHAND SHARMA Divisional Commissioner, Aligarh
We want people to come up with ideas to us. Every year water is going down by five feet. We re trying to recharge the water bodies in Aligarh. To attract the investors, the law and order situation of the city should be good. Traffic lights and CCTV camera should be integrated through a single network. We want industries to suggest solutions which are Aligarh specific. We can even declare no- vehicular zones in Aligarh but we have to develop parking spaces first.
Project Coordinator, India EU Cooperation on ICTRelated Standardisation, Policy and Legislation European Union (EU) through European Union Bank has already invested more than 1.5 billion euros in energy and climate related projects. We are also working on the standardisation aspect of the Smart Cities. We are working on three important topics comprising Internet of Things (IoT), 5G and security as a cross cutting topic. Research under the EU is happening under the topic Horizon 2020 where they want people to come up with problems to them.
HARSHITA BHATNAGAR National ICT Expert, Asian Development Bank
Our vision is Asia and Pacific region free of poverty. There are sub regional programmes that ADB is implementing in various countries. There is a programme known as South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation programme to improve the economic condition of the South Asian sub regions which comprises seven countries Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. These countries are implementing various projects like constructing roads between two countries like from India’s Kohima to Myanmar, income tax projects in Nepal etc.
60
ONFERENCE
REPORT
ANKIT BAHL
Advisor-Trade & Investments, Embassy of Estonia
Estonia has a population of 13 lakh people, same as Aligarh. Every service except marriage, divorce and buying of property is online. The level of digitisation is very advanced in the country. For the last 20 years, Estonia’s public is using e-governance platforms. Every year the country saves two per cent of the GDP since it is a paperless society. Time also gets saved due to these solutions. Estonia is also helping other countries to implement these solutions.
INDUSTRY PRESENTATIONS
HEMANTH KUMAR
Head, Business Development, Automotive Environmental Solutions
SANDEEP SHARMA Vice President (S&M) EON Electric Limited
We are implementing Smart lighting project in Aligarh in association with Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) for the past two years. The Municipal Corporation of Aligarh has saved more than Rs 2.5 crore through this project. We have solutions both for on-grid and off-grid lighting. Since the past two years, we have installed more than three lakh streetlights in India. Under our solar street lighting project we have installed 20,000 streetlights so far.
We are working with various municipalities. We are providing various waste management solutions. There are separate colour bins for wet, moist and medical waste. For primary collection and transportation of waste, we have made customised vehicles for different municipalities. To clear the sewage lines, we have created the desilting and dechoking machines as well. No manual labour is required to clear the waste from the sewers. There are mechanical sweeping machines to clean the roads. We recently bagged a project of providing 140 Automatic Refuse Compactors. We have also supplied 200 garbage trucks to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation.
61
ONFERENCE
PRESENTATION ON SAFETY & SECURITY FOR SMART CITIES
REPORT
Building Smart Cities: Challenges & Opportunities
AVANEESH SHARMA
Commissioner, Moradabad Municipal Corporation
GYANENDRA MISHRA President, UDAAN Society
Security is a big aspect of Smart Cities Mission. Aligarh can become smart through advanced security systems. Police patrolling has increased over the years. But it needs to be seen whether the security has also increased through this? Smart City Aligarh can benefit citizens through smart security. It can also help in managing the traffic, disaster management and road rage incidents etc.
We need to change the mindset of our people that cleanliness is not our job but our duty. Currently, we have various opportunities but the man behind the machine is also very important. Awareness will make it easier to realise the dream of Smart Cities. We have resources and funds but the mindset needs to be changed first.
GAURAV ANTIL
Joint Commissioner, Gurugram Municipal Corporation
We have declared in Gurugram that those malls who will provide free basement parking space to people, their basement will be exempted from the property tax. This initiative has helped in controlling the parking problem in the city. More than 72 malls and shopping complexes have made their parking free. To make people aware of this scheme, we have advertised through social mediums on a large scale.
62
ONFERENCE
REPORT
DR ANWAR KHURSHEED
Professor, Environmental Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, AMU Aligarh The only fresh water available from earth is just three per cent. Out of this three per cent, 77 per cent is capped in snow. If we don’t incorporate water management and water utility, fresh water will not be left. Technology can help in the assessment of the water with the least footprints. Critical analysis of the projects are necessary to succeed. Public participation is also necessary. We have been involved in waste water treatment for 30-35 years.
DR MOHAMMED RIHAN
Associate Professor, Member incharge, Electricity Department, Convener, Green University project, Aligarh Muslim University We use to pay Rs 25 crore annually for electricity charges. Now we have installed two solar power plants that are connected through grids. No other institution in India has the solar capacity like us. We are saving 17,000 kgs of Co2. We have reduced the load on the State Grid also since we are generating our own electricity. This is one of our key contributions for our city. This can be replicated in the residential colonies too.
RAVI KUMAR
T S RAJPUT
PSUs can help in the security of the Smart Cities. They can recommend guidelines for the security of the Smart Cities with more emphasis on security element. PSUs can help in the standardisation of Smart City platform interface to avoid vendor lock in, encourage competition and innovation.
Deputy General Manager, National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC)
Deputy General Manager, Bharat Electronics Limited
Special Presentations: Role of PSUs for Smart City Ecosystem
National Small Industries Corporation has a mission of promoting, aiding and fostering their growth of micro, small and medium enterprises in the country. Cleanliness should be the way of life which should be adopted by the citizens also. In countries like Singapore, even the President and his wife take part in cleaning of the cities. We need to educate people on the civic sense and create awareness about cleanliness.
63
GLIMPSES OF THE ONFERENCE REPORT
PARTICIPANTS SHOWCASING PRODUCTS AT THE EXPO
64
FELICITATION ONFERENCE CEREMONY REPORT
Santosh Kumar Sharma, Aligarh Municipal Commissioner (second right) and others after felicitation
Santosh Kumar Sharma, Aligarh Municipal Commissioner (second right) and other speakers from PSU session
Avinash Sharma (second left), Moradabad Municipal Commissioner and Santosh Kumar Sharma, Aligarh Municipal Commissioner (second right) along with other international speakers
Team Elets and team Aligarh Municipal Corporation at the Aligarh Smart City Summit
65
ONFERENCE
REPORT
66
RNI No - UPENG/2008/25234
UP/GBD - 71/2018/2020
ABM•• •
• � ELECTRONIC � SERVICE DELIVERY (!J PORTAL/APPS
0 AUTOMATION OF
MUNICIPAL PROCESS
,...., BUSINESS PROCESS \.,1 REENGINEERING
ABM is leader in e-municipality segment in India with several successfully sustained projects. 750+ Urban Local Bodies which include many from the initial 100 Smart Cities are our esteemed customers. ABM's various a-municipality solutions deliver millions of Citizen Services every year. Several states have selected ABM for a state-wide rollout of a-municipality projects as we competed with reputed MNCs and Indian IT firms. ABM's e-municipality projects are quoted as exemplary case studies in various prestigious journals & international research reports and have bagged awards from credible international organisations. central/state governments, Industry associations and reputed media publications. ABM is the perfect fit for making the cities smarter.
Emerging India Finalist: CNBC TV 18 Founder- MD listed in "SO inspiring Entrepreneurs of India" : Economic Times 25 most powerful SAP solution provider: CIO STORY, US Top 10 Emerging IT companies in India: NASSCOM ABM Knowledgeware Limited:
ABM House, Plot No.268, Linking Road, Bandra (West), Mumbai- 400 050. W: www.abmindia.com • CMMI Level 3 • ISO 9001 :2015 • ISO 27001 :2013