The annual budget for city development is Rs.1,350.61 crore

- Umesh Pratap Singh, Municipal Commissioner, Kanpur Municipal Corporation There are many reasons why Kanpur is the city of promise. It´s not just the largest city of Uttar Pradesh, but the fifth largest in India by land area, the 10th most populous urban agglomeration and the second largest industrial city of the Hindi belt in northern India. What´s more, it is under consideration to become a smart city and is a major city in the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Umesh Pratap Singh, Municipal Commissioner, Kanpur Municipal Corporation (KMC), shares more on upcoming projects in the city along with other initiatives in conversation with CW. Introduce us to the corporation's contribution to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. We are contributing to this mission in the following ways: Deployment of sanitation workers to clean the Ghats, major important lanes and roads through outsourcing. Sanitation drives in association with district administration, NGOs and RWAs; to motivate them, cash prizes have been announced. Plantation work in green belts, renovation of parks, footpaths and rubbish platforms. Proposals to construct 25 community toilets (10 seats each), renovation of dhobi ghats, construction of electric crematoriums to NMCG or GoUP. Which areas would you list as hotspots of growth within the city? What challenges does a corporation face? Areas of growth include Mall Road, Naveen Market, Moti Jheel, Ganga Barrage, Ghantaghar and Kanpur South. Key challenges faced by the corporation include coordination among different departments engaged in development works; non-cooperation of the general public and politically motivated people in some areas; and lack of funds and staff or manpower in planning and executing works. What are the corporation's efforts towards Clean Ganga? Which projects are in the pipeline? Continuous efforts are being made by KMC towards Clean Ganga. Eleven volunteers have been given identity cards to educate the people and devotees coming to Ganga regarding pollution, sanitation and safe water. Projects include: Projects sanctioned: Sewerage works in Sewerage Distt-l; cost: Rs 370.40 crore; administrative approval awaited; under tendering process; date of completion of project: 45 months from date of approval. Projects submitted for sanction to NMCG: Sewerage works in Distt-ll, Part-A, Zone-1 worth Rs 156.82 crore; and sewerage works in Distt-ll, Part-A, Zone-2 worth Rs 155.07 crore Projects submitted for sanction to SGRCA: Sewerage works in Distt-ll, Part-B worth Rs 44.60 crore; sewerage works in Distt-lll, Zone-2 worth Rs 294.28 crore; and sewerage works in Distt-lll, Zone 3, worth Rs 499.78 crore. Introduce us to the JNNURM projects being executed. Any upcoming JNNURM projects for which tenders are expected to be floated in the near future? These projects include: Sewerage works in Inner Old Area Part l: Main trunk sewer lineû69 km, two STPs of 15-mld capacity, renovation of old SPS (cost: Rs 248.30 crore) 210-mld capacity STP at Bingawan Part 2 (cost: Rs 141.96 crore) Sewerage works in Part III, District IV: sewer line - 130 km, one STP of 42 mld at Sajari cost: Rs 251.77 crore) Kanpur Water Supply Scheme for Inner Old Area Phase l: WTP, feeder mains - 48 km, distribution lines - 700 km, OHT-14 (cost: Rs 393.93 crore) Kanpur Water Supply Scheme for remaining area Phase 2: WTP, feeder mains - 65 km, distribution lines 1,045 km, CWR - 38, OHT - 31, tube wells - 16 (cost: Rs 475.15 crore). What are the developmental measures undertaken by the corporation for drainage, sewerage and street lighting? Nallahs and drains of 20.13 km (a total of 61) have been constructed, amounting to Rs 2,346.37 lakh. Along with the five sewage works mentioned above, 1,006 new poles and 149 tower poles have been erected in the city to improve the street lighting. Additionally, 9,201 sodium fittings have been installed in different areas on poles with no fittings. Tell us about any other landmark ongoing or upcoming major infrastructure projects. Of these, are there any tenders to be floated in the near future? One major upcoming project is the metro rail. Along with this, the Kanpur Development Authority (KDA) is renovating the musical garden. Other upcoming developments by KDA include the riverfront development of Ganga, development of an SEZ on the left bank of the river, beautification and underground parking facility at Phoolbagh and integrated traffic management system in coordination with IITK. Moreover, the DPR for a 50-mld CETP for tannery wastewater treatment is being prepared by CLRI, Chennai, and expected by June 2015. Will KMC develop unused properties into shopping complexes? The proposal is under consideration with the executive body or council of KMC. How does the corporation handle solid and waste management? A solid waste management processing plant of 1,500-tpd capacity has been established under JNNURM. Waste is being collected and transported to this site by KMC. What is the annual amount budgeted for city development? How do the state and Central Governments along with JNNURM and other agencies (if any) contribute to the overall budget? The annual budget for city development is Rs 1,350.61 crore. Except JNNURM funding, the state government contributes through earmarked funds, infrastructure funds, finance commission and Naya Savera Vikas Yojna (interest-free loan). Also, the Central Government contributes funds through various programmes like Namami Gange, SBM, etc. The corporation plans to raise the house tax in the next Budget. How will the money collected as tax be used? The money collected will be used in development and infrastructure works to provide better public facilities. Kanpur City Corporation Year of establishment: 1959 Total city area: 260.00 sq km Population: Rs.29.42 lakh Annual budget: Rs.1,850 crore Municipal councillors: 110 elected and 10 nominated by the Uttar Pradesh government