Jabalpur’s Mayor, Dr Swati Godbole, tells AM Jigeesh of the city’s plans under the smart city mission, with an emphasis on inclusive development. Excerpts from an interview:
When will the project take off?
The SPV will be formed very soon. Our plan is to minimise demolition, acquisition and eviction. Slum-dwellers will be rehabilitated; about 7,000 homes are ready for them.
Jabalpur is a people-friendly city. The type of facilities we are planning will make it better. Real estate development will help us complete the project. PPP models in garments, agriculture and food processing sectors will generate jobs and improve the economy and enhance the people’s purchasing power.
Will this generate adequate funds?
Yes, we are confident. We have also decided to streamline the tax and levy collection mechanisms. Our revenue collection last fiscal was Rs. 128 crore. This year, our target is Rs. 200 crore.
Infrastructure development appears slow-paced.
We have given more land for developing the Dumna airport runways. Some 70 per cent work on the sewage chain is over.
The city’s surroundings have plenty of iron ore, marble, granite and other resources. We have enough water and hydroelectric power and enough land that can be developed for real estate and industrial purposes.
Read: JabalpurA new sense of purpose for a ‘neglected’ city