GUWAHATI: Guwahati was among the pioneering batch of 20 cities selected for the ambitious 'Smart City Mission' in India. However, over six years down the line, the city's progress towards becoming 'smart' remains elusive. Despite significant infrastructural development initiatives spanning roads, flyovers, drainage systems, water projects, and gas pipelines, Guwahati's urban landscape still grapples with challenges that hinder its transformation into a truly smart and well-planned urban centre.
With multiple ongoing flyover projects and others in the pipeline, the development spree has inadvertently led to new issues cropping up, contributing to the city's growing disorder.
One of the primary obstacles to Guwahati's urban development is the apparent discord in its master plan. Initially conceived from 2009 to 2025, the plan aimed to achieve a substantial 55 per cent modal share for public mass transport, equating to approximately 1.2 million daily trips on the proposed Public Mass Transport (PMT) system.
This blueprint encompassed the establishment of a Medium Capacity Transit System alongside designated corridors slated for a Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) or Light Rail Transit System (LRTS). The plan entailed a phased implementation, with BRTS as the primary phase and a seamless transition to LRTS as demand escalated.
Notably, the design emphasised the segregated right-of-way for BRTS, with potential provisions for elevated pathways in challenging sections. However, recent observations reveal that the execution of the master plan has been a mixed bag.
According to a senior official from the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), some projects have been effectively implemented, while others are still in limbo. Interestingly, flyovers were not part of the original blueprint, leading to questions about the coordination and coherence of the development strategy.
Although the master plan covering 2009 to 2025 exists, a new version is awaited. This updated plan aims to incorporate objections, reviews, and adjustments before its finalisation.
Despite its endeavours in the realm of urban mobility, Guwahati fell short of achieving commendations due to its limited implementation in various other categories. This underscores the need for a comprehensive and holistic approach to urban development that goes beyond isolated initiatives.
On August 29, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Ashok Singhal unveiled a proposal to establish an 'Assam Institute of Urban Affairs' and a 'Knowledge Hub' in the state. These visionary initiatives are poised to usher in the latest urban planning concepts and expertise to Assam, heralding a transformational era in urban development practices.
Speaking to G Plus, a senior official from the Directorate of Town and Country Planning revealed, "Our plans involve the creation of an institution for the Urban Local Body. This institute will serve as a training and capacity-building hub, catering to the needs of elected representatives and engineers."
The senior official also stated, "The project is still in its conceptual phase, with funding details yet to be clarified. "
