Aligarh is one of the 13 Smart Cities identified in UP out of 100 in India. It is the administrative headquarters of the Aligarh Division. It lies about 220 km north-west of Kanpur and about 150 km south-east of New Delhi and is well connected via NH 93, NH 91, SH 22, SH 80, Grand Trunk Road etc.

As per 2011 census, Aligarh has a population of 8,74,408 spread across an area of about 100 sq.km The city has experienced a high population growth rate, may be due to immigration from nearby villages for employment as well as better amenities & facilities. As per the City Sanitation Plan (2014) it is estimated that the city’s population will cross 2 million by the year 2040.

Aligarh is known for its historic Aligarh Movement in the year 1875, which helped in starting the Mohammedan Anglo Oriental College, now famous as Aligarh Muslim University. Due to this, Aligarh is known as “Mecca of Education”. It is also renowned for its lock industry, earning it a title “Tala Nagari”.

Aligarh is known for its educational and medical facilities and also has a vibrant meat industry. It has a well-functioning drainage , sewerage, solid waste collection & recycling system. However, there is a lot of scope to improve the quality of life of the fellow citizens.

Aligarh Municipal Corporation (AMC) also has established a good online grievance redressal system along with a publication of monthly magazine indicating the developments happening in the corporation. It has adopted a transparent system of budgeting / revenue collection system. The earlier projects like JNNURM were implemented successfully and completed more than 90% of the work.

AMC has plans for the complete revival of the system in city and make the M and E governance available for common public to ensure good governance. As a part of this exercise, AMC is intended to have involvement of public in the form of suggestions to make the city smart and improve the living standards.

Aligarh has to formulate its own unique PAN City Smart Solution (A Smart Solution that could be applied City wide) and prepare the Smart City Plan in consultation with the citizens and other stakeholders.

A few Pan-City Solutions are listed below:

Solid waste management

• Improved Collection & transportation of waste
• Regular & timely collection at door step
• Increase recycle/reuse
• Scientific disposal of solid waste
• Penality of littering and spitting

Transport and Mobility

• Improvement in traffic discipline
• Better parking facilities
• Encroachment free pathways
• Integrated mass transport, mobility and connectivity
• Better road network & Connectivity
• Development and widening of roads

Water Supply and Sewage

• Control on unauthorized connections
• Increase & regularization of water connection
• Reduction in water leakage / wastage
• Metered water supply
• Increased water recycle/reuse
• Establishment of sewage treatment plant
• Storm water management

Environment and Sustainability

• Promotion of Green buildings
• Zero discharge into river
• Environmental education to children
• More green cover in city

Energy

• Innovative ideas for conservation
• Increased use of renewable energy
• Less wastage of electricity
• Promotion of Energy Efficiency

Conservation

• Conservation of Parks, Playgrounds etc
• Restoration and conservation of Heritage and rivers
• Purification of water bodies

Safety and Security

• Protection of facilities & Organizations
• Health services –eHospital/eHealthCare
• Improve Disaster Management response
• Safety for women, children & senior citizens
• Faster & integrated emergency response

Governance

• Citizen friendly Smart Governance- m-Governance
• Single window system (e-governance)

Housing

• Housing for poor
• Toilets (Individual and Public)

Other Infrastructure

• Parks, Entertainment and Leisure Destinations
• Skill Development Centers
• Slum Rehabilitation / Upgradation / Improvement
• Sports and games
• Wi-Fi and internet connectivity

Aligarh Municipal Corporation is inviting the vigilant people of Aligarh to share their vision for Smart Aligarh city in this discussion forum.

Kindly, post your views and ideas till 7th December, 2015.