Smart city: Jaipur blending modernity with heritage

Jaipur: Known for its architectural beauty and vibrant culture, the 18th century city of Jaipur is moving towards syncing its historic magnificence with modernity, as projects under the Centre’s Smart City Mission gain momentum.

The ancient walled city has been chosen for Area-Based Development under the Smart City Mission where a blend of heritage with modernity is taking shape through projects like improvement and beautification of facades, restoration of heritage buildings and ‘smart roads’ with integrated traffic management system, among others.

Jaipur, Ajmer, Kota and Udaipur are the cities of Rajasthan selected under the Centre’s smart city project launched in June 2015. Established in 1726 as a planned city by Sawai Jai Singh II, Jaipur is surrounded by Nahargarh Hills in north and Jhalana in the east, both part of the Aravalli hills. The walled city s road network follows a definite hierarchy with well-defined public places and controlled facade treatment on main roads.

The biggest work which is going on under the mission is development of a ‘smart road’ in the walled city with features like every electric pole having CCTV camera, WiFi system, intelligent lights, environment monitoring system, information display system, charging points, bins with sensors and safe movement of pedestrians, Ravi Jain, CEO of the Jaipur Smart City Ltd and commissioner of Jaipur Municipal Corporation, told PTI.

He said projects worth Rs 200 have been completed and worth Rs 900 crore are in the pipeline under the mission. The development of four underground tunnels (underpasses) — two between the Sanganeri Gate and the Jorawar Singh Gate for the passage of traffic, and two for parking areas under Johri bazaar — is one of the ambitious projects for which a detailed project report will be completed soon, he said.

Chief minister Vasundhara Raje announced the construction of underpass between Ramniwas garden (opposite Sanganeri gate) and Delhi road in her budget speech in the assembly recently. A large number of vehicles passing through the Jauhari Bazaar goes to Delhi road and the tunnels will help reduce traffic in the walled city. The tunnels for parking will also help organise traffic, he said.

Traffic congestion is the biggest problem and to address that, we are constructing three big underground parking in Chandpole, Chaugan stadium and one in Jaipuria hospital, he said. In the night bazaar in the walled city, the official added, kiosks will be set up where tourists can purchase items like handicraft, Jaipuri quilt and gemstones, among others. “The night bazaar is also going to start soon.”

The area under the area-based development includes most of the pink city s famous monuments on tourist and shoppers circuit. Major heritage structures which need immediate attention are being covered under the ABD, which included redevelopment of the Govind Devji Temple, Talkatora lake as well as the Ram Niwas garden. In the walled city, eco-friendly corridor, night market and heritage walks are being planned.

Under the smart city mission in Jaipur, it has also been aimed to promote tourism with increase of average tourists time spent in the city from the present 2.8 days to approx 3.5 days by 2025, increase in non-motorised transport share from 15 to 25 per cent and 100 per cent barrier free access in the area by 2019 and also increase in the share of public transport.

The most visited areas of the city are the Amber (pronounced as Aamer) Fort, the city palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, Govind Devji Temple, and the Albert Hall Museum; while Jaleb Chowk, Ram Niwas garden, Chogan Stadium and the Talkatora lake have the potential to be developed as tourists attraction.