Work on majority upcoming smart cities is very slow: Ar Sanjay Goel

Ludhiana, October 23, 2018: Work on majority upcoming smart cities is very slow in India as observed during visits to those cities or read output reports during past years, said Ar Sanjay Goel, Director, Ludhiana Smart City Limited (LSCL). Adding, he said thinking, if concerned city administration is at fault or State Government/SPV or Centre Government or all. It seems as if coordination at all stages is negligible. He opined that regular monthly meetings must be held in Delhi, state capital and in upcoming smart city to expedite works. Further, he said citizens’ participation must be highest as it was before start of smart city mission. Local level committee of prominent citizens must be formed immediately to take suggestions to select and implement projects. He revealed that 7th Ludhiana Smart City Ltd Board of Directors meeting planned on October 17, 2018 and to be held on October 25, 2018 in Chandigarh was postponed till further orders (October 23). Moreover board meetings preferably must be held in Ludhiana city only as more than 75% directors are Ludhiana-based. He said Ludhiana city and its citizens are suffering more and more that instead of any major relief during past 2-3 years they have got more problems on multifronts specially road infrastructure with regard to vehicular traffic. He suggested that LSCL must have its full time CEO for 10 years atleast along with independent office where things must be planned smartly. Consultancy company AECOM has also failed to deliver as per expectations, he regretted.