As per the results of the Smart City polls recently conducted by Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, people of the city voted for urban mobility as the most pressing need among Smart City solutions. They had seven different categories to choose from in both the offline and online polls. Declaring the results on Wednesday, the BMC stated that the other two priorities are drinking water and solid waste management. Urban mobility includes public transport, traffic, parking and walkability, BMC.
The BMC said 2,45,838 people participated in the offline poll. While public transport got 1,22,913 votes, traffic and parking received 83,110. Second in the priority list was drinking water that got 2,04,452 votes, while waste management received 1,95,472.
“People have given least priority to heritage, tourism and culture.”
Based on poll results, the BMC will send its proposal to the Center to include the three services under the Smart City Mission so that funds are released accordingly.
According to BMC commissioner Krishan Kumar, since public transport has topped the priority list, city dwellers will have access to better public transport, which will be more comfortable and have less waiting time. Passengers’ safety will also be given attention. The vehicles will be well maintained and parking and traffic management will go hi-tech. Technology-enabled parking management will be introduced.
According to the plans, the traffic management system will ensure less jams and minimum waiting at the signals.
There will be advance parking facility information boards at the traffic points. The pedestrians’ paths will be redeveloped and it will be free from encroachments.
People from slums, business groups, students, vending zones, auto rickshaw operators, NGOs, women groups participated in the polls organized in educational institutions, railway station, bus stands, streets in the wards and corporate houses.
Courtesy: The Times of India
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