How Rourkela Can Become A World-Class Smart City

Steel City Rourkela in Odisha attracts people in huge numbers from across India for the employment opportunities this industrial town offers. So, when Rourkela made the cut in the Centre's smart city mission list, it gave authorities a golden opportunity to transform and put it in the league of a world-class city in future.  However, the city's proposal for the mission has yet to receive funds.

How can Rourkela use its existing structure to transform into a world-class city?

• Geographically, Rourkela is blessed. In the history of it, the city has never been subject to any natural calamity, unlike other cities in Odisha. These factors have attracted many industrialists outside the state to choose Rourkela as their destination. However, slums in the periphery are growing at a fast pace. By redeveloping unauthorised constructions, civic authorities can add to the beauty of the city, apart from housing its ever-growing population in a better way. By setting up sewage treatment and solid waste management plants, the waste deposition in the outskirts of the city could also be curbed. 

• The Steel City is a knowledge hub. It houses the National Institute of Technology (NIT), ranked fifth among the NITs in India. This is a reason why students from across India and abroad flock to the city. By making educational institutes and public places Wi-Fi enabled, things could be improved in a big way.  

• The authorities of Rourkela Municipal Corporation have greenfield-based development plan to increase the green cover of the city.  These developments would not only help in recovering the greenery but would also increase the foot falls of visitors. 

• Authorities plan to restructure the city to accommodate the ever-increasing traffic of the city. For an expanding city, having in place a well-developed transport system would be crucial. 

• Healthcare facilities, too, need an upgrade for Rourkela to become a world-class smart city. 

• Localities such as Chhend, Basantinagar, Koelnagar, Uditnagar, Jhirpani, Jalda, Fertilizer Township (Sector-22), Civil Township, Eighteen Sectors, Chhend Colony, Shaktinagar, Panposh, Jagda, Bondamunda, Rourkela Town, Industrial Estate, Lathikata, Kalunga have huge possibility of redevelopment. This would give raise the value of property in the city.