CITY SPOTLIGHT

with the help of user-friendly, sustainable and smart technologies,” he adds.

Role of GIS

When Mr. Mishra joined the Rourkela Development Authority, they developed Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) on the GIS platform.

“We began using Esri’s ArcGIS platform, and with the help of GIS we are addressing all the infrastructure related issues, such as traffic management, sewage drainage, firefighting, solid waste management, electricity distribution and restructuring/ redevelopment of old buildings, as well as in construction of the new infrastructure and to improve the quality of slum people’s lives,” says Mishra.

Location plays a crucial role in every aspect of city development planning. To better the quality of life of the citizens, GIS provides an IT infrastructure where all the stakeholders are involved in every activity starting from planning and conceptualization to development, monitoring and maintenance.

“There is a vital role of Geospatial data in building the smart city. The foundation works for the preparation of smart city projects are based upon the CDP of Rourkela which prepared the geospatial data on GIS platform,” adds Mishra.

With the help of GIS, planners collect the required data, tally it with the grievances/queries, build capacity to address the needs and develop infrastructure based on the demands and requirements.

Towards Sustainability

In order to fit into achieving the Sustainable development goals (SDGs), RSCL has taken up envi-

UNDER THE RSCL, MAJOR PROJECTS WITH MAXIMUM BUDGET ALLOCATION INCLUDE:

Projects

Budget Allocated

Upgradation of Birsa Munda Stadium INR 157.21 CRORE

Smart Road Phase-2-All other Road ROW varying from 5 m to 30M with carriageway, Footpath, Cycle Tracks

INR 120.84 CRORE

Rourkela One INR 137.76 CRORE

Integrated Command Control Center (ICCC) INR 106 CRORE

Implementation of Storm Water Management Project INR 91.2 CRORE

Upgradation of markets (Panposh market, Daily market, Wholesale market) INR 53.59 CRORE

Smart Road Phase-1- Panposh Chowk to Ambedkar Chowk with Carriageway 20.7m ROW, Footpath, Cycle Track

Development of Big Recreational Park

INR 24.8 CRORE

INR 23.53 CRORE

Vedvyas Tourism At Rourkela INR 21.59 CRORE

Beautification of Ring Road Traffic Chowk to Hanuman Vatika Chowk ronment, energy, area development projects, and is contributing to the development of parks, plantations, riverfront development, and a lot more. The existing sports complex is also being upgraded.

“With the help of GIS solutions and Smart City initiatives, we are trying to develop operational activities for the city’s municipal corporation which includes clear communication with citizens, addressing their grievances, and providing smart solutions through a single platform,” he adds.

Along similar lines, there is a need for other smart cities to find their potential to bridge social divide and devise tech infrastructure for education, tourism, healthcare, and other specialized services.

Smart Achievements

Rourkela was awarded as one of the 10 Indian cities to win the “Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge” under the aegis of the Smart Cities Mission of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).

INR 21.71 CRORE

Apart from that, as soon as International Hockey Federation (FIH) awarded India the rights to the men’s Hockey World Cup, Hockey India announced that Odisha will host the 2023 edition of the World Cup in Rourkela.

Within 15 months, not only Rourkela planned the upgradation of Birsa Munda stadium to FIH standards but also delivered it and recorded itself in the Guinness book of the world for being the best hockey stadium in the world with the highest sitting capacity of approximately 25000.

Along with the upgradation of the stadium, other developments that took place during these 15 months included the development of an airport, smart bus service, Science Park, and installation of smart lights to ensure better connectivity and attract more visitors to the city.

Nibedita Mohanta

Chief Sub Editor

Nibedita@geospatialmedia.net