Smart city projects earn kudos in Coimbatore

COIMBATORE: A two-member team from the ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA), which inspected the projects implemented under the Smart Cities Mission on Saturday, lauded the choice of projects and execution by the Coimbatore Smart City Limited.
The team, led by MoHUA director S C Jana, inspected the projects at Race Course, Valankulam and DB Road, which was developed into a model road, and the multi-level car parking lot.
"The projects are among the best in the country. It is heartening to see so many people making use of the facilities developed under Smart Cities Mission," Jana said. "The projects executed here are better than what we expected. Local people are happy. We are also happy to see government funds utilized in a true sense. Actually, this is what we expect from all smart city projects."
State coordinator for Smart Cities Mission S Sampath Kumar, the other member of the team, said the water theme used by the Coimbatore corporation is unique. "We were impressed by the way the space under the Valankulam flyover was developed for public activity at a minimal cost. It can be easily replicated by other cities."
Corporation commissioner M Prathap, who accompanied the officials, said the civic body is checking the best practices to manage spread of water hyacinth in the water bodies revamped under the projects.
The team was particularly happy with the way Race Course was developed, Prathap said. "The number of people using the facility even during noon time impressed the team," he told TOI.
Currently, there are not many takers for the multi-level car parking lot, the commissioner said. "Efforts are being taken to improve occupancy."