Smart city as poll plank won’t work, feel many in Allahabad
ALLAHABAD: Smart city as a poll plank in the upcoming urban local body elections here has evoked mixed response. Some say it is because of the BJP-led government at the Centre that launched the programme, while some others think otherwise.
“Smart city as an issue will not benefit the BJP in the civic polls as residents are upset over the level of pollution and unplanned digging of roads landing commuters in trouble every day,” opines Sunil Chaudhary, a high court lawyer.
“Almost every resident except for a few having soft corner for the BJP are upset over Allaha- bad being turned into a smart city. Already developed areas like Civil Lines are the priority of officials while the areas really requiring attention is being ignored,” feels a resident of Benganj ward no. 56.
Similarly, Badri Prasad Verma of Allahpur under ward no. 18 thinks that the smart city initiative will not be a poll issue as people are more engaged in Ayodhya issue and are also upset with the present condition of the city.
“Unplanned development work has made a significant count of residents sick due to excessive level of dust in the air. Due to unplanned digging of roads, the charm of smart city is gradually fading as residents are being rubbed the wrong way. I will never vote for the BJP in the upcoming elections on the smart city issue as it has made living here miserable,” he said.
However, lawyer Pradeep Verma of Naini area thinks that the BJP is the only party that thought of making cities smarter. Ever since PM Narendra Modi took over, several schemes for the common man have been launched, he says.
“Smart City is an elaborate issue. It cannot be described in a few lines. Residents should understand that digging of roads is a part of the initiative and should wait for the results,” he adds.
BJP’s mayoral candidate Abhilasha Gupta is projecting smart city as a major achievement of the BJP government along with assuring people of making the city even better if she is elected again. Other aspiring corporators of the BJP in different wards are also trying to cash in on the issue.