Explainer: Mission Smart City: Karnal gets two more years to deliver on urban promises

The timeline for Karnal Smart City Ltd. (KSCL), the agency looking after the Karnal Smart City project, has been extended by two years, with the new deadline set as March 31, 2027. The extension gives KSCL sufficient time to complete pending works and launch new initiatives.

Q. When was Karnal included in the Smart Cities list?

On June 23, 2017, the then Urban Development, Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, announced the fourth list of 30 Smart Cities, which included Karnal, securing it a place among the top 98 Smart Cities in the country. Karnal had missed out in the first three lists, which comprised 28, 13, and 27 cities, respectively. It had been a long-standing demand of citizens, especially after Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to include Karnal in the Smart City Mission during a rally launching the Haryana Assembly election campaign in 2014. The commitment was later reiterated by former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, the then MLA from Karnal, who repeatedly expressed his vision to transform Karnal into a Smart City during several public meetings.

Q. What was the original plan and what changes were done later?

Initially, Karnal was scheduled to receive Rs 1295.81 crore for the development of 720 acres of urban land. This included Rs 1,061.1 crore under the Area-Based Development Programme and Rs 149.9 crore for pan city solutions. Later, the scope and budget were revised, resulting in about 120 projects being proposed with an estimated cost of Rs 929.77 crore—equally funded by the Central and state governments.

Q What was the purpose of the Smart City project?

The goal behind the project was to transform Karnal into a model city with efficient urban management, sustainability and improved quality of life. From modern sports facilities and smart surveillance systems to digital classrooms and better civic amenities, the project aimed at implementing forward-looking urban solutions.

Q. What is the latest development in the Karnal Smart City project?

The government has extended KSCL’s project deadline to March 31, 2027. The KSCL will ensure timely completion of the ongoing projects.

Q. What was the initial deadline?

Initially the deadline of the project was June 30, 2024, and later it was first extended to March 31, 2025, and now by two more years.

Q. How many projects have been approved and completed so far?

Out of nearly 120 approved projects, around 90 have been completed, 20 are under execution, and the remaining are in the tendering stage.

Q. What are the major projects underway at present?

Several key projects are in various stages of implementation, including redevelopment of Karna Stadium, two elevated flyovers to ease traffic congestion, shopping complex at the old grain market, community centres and a state-of-the-art old age home, and others.

Q. Has the Smart City project improved public safety?

Yes, an Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) has been established at the Karnal Municipal Corporation office. It monitors major intersections and sensitive areas through CCTV cameras equipped with red light violation detection (RLVD), adaptive traffic control system (ATCS), and automated facial recognition system (AFRS). Besides, public announcement systems have been installed at 35 locations for any announcement. Several crimes were solved and criminals were arrested.

Q. What improvements have been made in education under the project?

The KSCL has transformed classroom learning by installing interactive LED smart boards in various classrooms of seven government schools, enabling cloud-based access to educational materials, deploying biometric, RFID and facial recognition attendance systems, installing CCTV surveillance in each classroom and several other steps.

Q. What sports infrastructure has been developed under the Smart City Mission?

Under the Smart City project, several initiatives have been taken to boost sports infrastructure. Astroturf hockey stadium (Rs 18.27 crore) comprises two hockey grounds. Similarly, Indoor Sports Complex, Sector 32 (Rs 44 crore), which comprises Olympic-size 10-lane swimming pool, five-court badminton hall, three gymnasiums, yoga halls, and crossfit zone, cafeteria, changing rooms and medical facilities, cricket stadium in Cricket in Sector 9 (Rs 1.75 crore), a hockey stadium on Hansi Road. The work on the redevelopment of Karna Stadium in two phases is pending. Work on switching water supply tubewells and boosting stations to smart solutions under the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system is also going on.

Q. What public amenities have been added for residents?

The canal front development along the Western Yamuna Canal, redevelopment of markets in Sectors 6 and 14, digital libraries in the city, an open-air theatre at Atal Park, open-air gyms in 74 parks, rainwater harvesting at 30 public sites, Mahila Ashram in Shakti Colony, Old-Age Home in Sector 32 (Rs 9 crore), two elevated flyovers in the city to reduce traffic congestion with an estimated cost of Rs 122 crore.

Q. What obstacles has the project encountered?

The project has faced multiple hurdles, including slow initial progress due to poor coordination, impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly during the first wave, contractual issues in different projects, including redevelopment of Karna Stadium.

Q. What is the road ahead for the Karnal Smart City Mission?

The KSCL is working to complete all pending works within the extended timeline. Besides, reissuing tenders for stalled projects, launching new initiatives in safety, education and green development.

Haryana Tribune