BBMP aims for Smart City tag

Bengaluru: After a failed attempt, the city administration is all set to revive its campaign for the prestigious Smart City tag for Bengaluru. It is roping in citizens from all walks of life for their suggestions and is confident that the city would this time bag the title.

Mayor Manjunath Reddy on Friday inaugurated an app to gather people's responses and expressed confidence that the BBMP will be able to convince the Union government this time. In order to be successful, the BBMP has instructed all the ministers, corporators and BBMP officials to hold ward wise meetings. Following the meetings, a detailed report will be drafted, which will be sent to the Union government in the next 25 days.

The meetings will also involve resident welfare association members, IT BT employees and engineering students from across the city. The Union government has defined parameters for any city to bag the title. Only when Bengaluru scores at least 70 out of 100, will it be eligible to win the tag.

Some of the parameters include installation of smart metres, adopting smart solid waste management methods, use of smart fuel and smart administration. It also mandates that slums should be revamped and 250 acres of green cover should be developed within the city, apart from enabling 500 acres in a ward as fully smart zone.

Reddy said that Bengalureans could download the app from Google playstore and give their suggestions. Solutions to traffic congestion and solid waste management were also welcome, the BBMP said. Citizens can also give suggestions on government portal, BBMP Facebook page, Email and Twitter.