The first phase of Union Government’s larger urban makeover plan giving a boost to infrastructure development has side passed Jammu and Kashmir as no city of the State has been able to meet the standards set for qualifications. All these years whichever party ruled the State gave an impression on the development work being executed in the State. In reality most of the works are of nascent standards with more stress on laying of street drain system or providing poles for electricity. Otherwise through-out these over six decades of independence State has never seen any development. No doubt change is inevitable but whatever little change one finds in the State is superfluous with hardly any depth to sustain and carry forward the vehicle of transformation for the betterment of living standards of the people. Even the basic facilities like good healthcare, education, a clean glass of water, uninterrupted power supply and cleanliness around are a far-fetched dream. Worst and the most important factor to get the ‘Smart City’ status is the citizen’s participation in governance which is negligible in J and K so where is the hope. At least 10 out of the 20 smart cities selected are located in states that will hold Assembly elections over the next two-and-a-half years. Among the states that will go to polls are Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Gujarat and Karnataka. These 10 cities are across the six states where the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is either in power or wants to make inroads. The party is focusing its efforts on Assam, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, and is keen on coming back to power in Karnataka. Surprisingly, no city in poll-bound West Bengal has made it to the list of smart cities. In J and K even being a partner in power BJP is an unwanted child. At a time when the government is pushing for urban renewal in India, the smart cities project aims to provide world-class infrastructure in Indian cities. The top 20 shortlisted cities comprise a mix of cities from all regions of India with high economic and industrial potential. Developing the project in the shortlisted cities would ensure quality infrastructure, technology-enabled services, sustainable public transport. Moreover, affordable housing, which is already a priority for the government, would receive a further boost through the project.
