A paradigm shift from a top-down approach to a bottom-up approach

Ujjawal Porwal, COO, Raipur Smart City, shares a progress update on the city’s school upgradations, lake rejuvenation, development of commercial zones and more. Pace of progress We have done a lot of tendering as the projects have been proceeding for the last five to six years. We are in the last year of the smart city implementation, so we are focusing on the implementation of the projects, ironing out all the challenges and trying to increase the pace of execution. Upcoming tenders and projects We have done school upgrades, converted Hindi medium schools into English medium schools and made them centres of excellence. We have tendered a 24×7 library for the youth who come to Raipur to study. We have made e-books available, spaces to sit for the general public, and an eco-zone so students can study in the natural ambience. Dream project First is our Budhatalab project which is 70-80 per cent completed. It is a mixture of urban infrastructure and climate sustainability. We have rejuvenated the oldest lake in the city and turned it into a commercially viable model for tourists. We are also developing a sewage treatment plant to filter the intake coming to the lake. The second is the library. A lot of youth come into the city to study and there is a need for a government library with minimal charges. It will be open 24×7 with ample parking space and areas for commercial development near the library. To read the full interview, CLICK HERE