Warangal not so smart, says Citizens forum

WARANGAL: Warangal, which is touted as the next big city in the state is shaping up to be a smart city, has not moved any further in that direction, opines the Forum for Better Warangal. In the latest citizen report card on Warangal city development released by the members, the question, “Will Warangal ever turn into a smart city?”, was explored.

Explaining their findings, the president of the forum, Prof. Pullur Sudhakar said Warangal stood 91st in the country in implementation of smart city mission works, even lagging behind cities which did not even get selected to be developed as part of the Smart City Mission Scheme. 

He pointed out that while the smart city works in Warangal were going on at snail’s pace, Komati Cheruvu bund in Siddipet and Lakkaram Cheruvu in Khammam received a complete facelift and were attracting tourists.

Warangal got selected for the Central government’s Smart City Mission in April 2016. The proposed project value has been estimated to be Rs 2,861 crore, including seven themes, 20 projects and 66 sub projects. The Smart City Board has approved projects related to smart roads, sewerage plants, renovation of Kakatiya Musical garden, solar park and multi level parking complex at a cost of Rs 250 crore. Minister KTR inaugurated four of them during his visit in November 2017 but not even one work has been started so far in the city.

“The multi-level parking proposed to be set up in Hanamkonda at a cost of Rs 20 crore and the commanding control system proposed at '130 crore have not gone beyond DPRs. 

Apart from these, several other projects like the development of the Bhadrakali bund under HRIDAY and renovation of the Kakatiya Musial Garden still remain a dream for the city,” he said.

The members of the forum ask who is to be held responsible for the city lagging behind among smart city projects. B. Raju Yadav, G. Yadagiri, G. Papireddy, Mallaiah Yadav, S. Veerabhadrudu, P. Diwakar, T. Pavan and others were present.