Panaji city is all set to get a huge boost to its smart city development plans as the central government is going to sanction Rs 5 crore. This grant forms a part of the City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain 2.0 (CITIIS 2.0), which will help the regional body to achieve sustainable growth and climate action. Thus, this initiative proves a step by the government for the development of infrastructure in the city and creating an environment for greater environmental sustainability in the entire country.
What exactly is the CITIIS 2.0 Programme?
CITIIS 2.0 is one of the flagship initiatives that the central government has envisioned for the sustainable urbanization of Indian cities. This initiative involves granting a portion of cities under various programs such as innovation, climate action, and urban resilience. The capital city of Goa, Panaji, has been selected for this initiative, receiving Rs 5 crore to aid its transformation in becoming a smart city while at the same time working towards crucial environmental issues.
Key Focus Areas for the Grant
The grant amount of Rs 5 crore will be spent on various components under the Panaji urban development, which are all based on the idea of sustainability and climate action. Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited has quite clearly proposed a multi-component plan that includes the following key focus areas:
- S-C3: State Climate Centre for Cities
The first component of the strategy would be to set up the State Climate Centre for Cities (S-C3). This would offer a central facility by which all climate-related strategies will be coordinated. It will then allow the city to have more control over its climate risks and build resilience to environmental shocks in a better manner. It will further serve as a focus for local coordination of efforts on addressing the climate crisis.
- Creation of Climate Data Observatories
This initiative will create state- and city-level climate data observatories to monitor and analyze environmental data in order to generate needed insights into climate patterns, levels of pollution, and resource usage. The resulting information will inform future urban planning decisions and be part of the decision-making process for climate-resilient infrastructure projects.
- Data-driven planning and implementation
The third aspect would help to make planning and implementing with data. The decisions concerning the development of cities will be taken on the basis of proper, real-time data. Thus, effective strategies will be framed for resource management, waste reduction, and general sustainable improvement. The future of Panaji can look green and efficient with advanced technologies and analytics.
- Capacity Building for Government Officials
To ensure that these projects are sustained, the fourth element focuses on building capacities of officials in different governmental departments. Officials in such sectors as solid waste management, water and sanitation, urban forestry, mobility, and finance shall be trained on strategies towards effective climate and urban management. This will give the officials the knowledge and capacities to implement and manage these sustainable development projects.
Advantages of this Grant to Panaji for Development
The Rs 5 crore grant will accelerate city efforts in becoming a more sustainable, smarter urban hub. The high-tech solution that is included will help make Panaji include solutions toward bettering the quality of life without increasing the ecological footprint of the city. Using data-driven solutions, enhanced climate resilience, and culture of sustainability, this city will get ready for the challenges arising out of this rapid pace of urbanization and climate change.
Further aspects included water supply management, waste management issues and modes of mobility in Panaji. The CITIIS 2.0 Programme now helps the city to attain not only a sustainable urban form for growth but also how people can live with technology yet improve their life conditions so that the environment is properly protected.
Role of IPSCDL in Panaji Smart City Vision
The Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited plays a crucial role in the city’s transformation. Sanjit Rodrigues, managing director of IPSCDL, stated his excitement over the grant and said that it will surely expedite the development of Panaji as a smart and sustainable city. He said, “The idea is to make the quality of life in this city better, as well as reduce the ecological footprint of the city dramatically.”.
“We plan to integrate the new technologies for the betterment of living standards and to design a greener and sustainable city landscape for Panaji,” Rodrigues said.
Conclusion
The Rs 5 crore grant from the centre now puts an important step on the road to a greener, more sustainable, and climate-friendly future for the city. Using modern technologies and integrated planning will help Panaji set a benchmark for cities across India. Efforts taken by the city to introduce climate centers, gather data on informed decision-making, and build the capacity of governmental officials will be the key determinant of long-term environmental sustainability. Through support of CITIIS 2.0, Panaji has become in a position to become one of the leaders in sustainable urban development.
Refer :
TOI, Link to article
Also read : Goa’s Growth as a Cargo and Cruise Hub: Strategic Plans for 2025 and Beyond