Rourkela has found its place in the second smart city list declared on Tuesday by the central government, thus becoming the second city of Odisha to figure in the list after Bhubaneswar. People of Rourkela were overjoyed at the announcement. “This is the first stage and now starts the real challenge for all and the challenge not only for the administration but for all of us to ensure that it is being successfully implemented,” noted a cross section of people here.

The president of NIT Rourkela faculty association, BB Biswal this will open a door of opportunities for the city. “I am sure that there will be something spectacular happening in the city in the coming days, in all the fields like industry and business,education and environment and feel proud of being part of the city.” In the initial phase the smart city project will take up from Bisra Chowk-Panposh (BCP) a total area of 26 square kilometres. The area houses the old Rourkela, the main business district of the city and all the government and private offices. Besides, the area also home to some of the large residential areas like Civil Township, Basanti colony and also other small but vital human habitations. The Rourkela Municipal Corporation, commissioner Akhaya Mallick said, “we are extremely happy and now we require cooperation from all the residents to make this happen and the best smart city in the country.” Mallick said the smart city project involved some basic key features which the corporation highlighted during the presentation. “Our presentation was all about the development of a 26 square kilometres area known as the BCP zone,” said the commissioner. The corporation highlighted about widening of roads and construction of new one,parking facility for the main business district; modern drainage system; environment protection; safety measures through CCTV monitoring; footpath for pedestrians and solid waste management. “The drainage and solid waste management would cover the entire Rourkela city,” informed Mr Mallick. In fact the first commissioner of the corporation Mr Durga Prasad Mohapatra had disclosed after the first list that, “ the main reason for which lost was the absence of a solid waste management system and drainage system for the city.” The BJD district president here Mr Ananda Mohanty, welcomed the announcement and said, “ the basic amenities of the residents should be taken care of in the project which will ensure water twenty four into seven and power to all.” The district Congress chief Mr Biren Senapaty said, “we welcome it but have a strong reservation regarding the working style of the government and the elected representatives.” Mr Biren Senapaty further said, “ in past funds have gone back without being spent so we keep our fingers crossed about the fate of the funds, which will come in now.” Answering to another question he said, “ we will cooperate for the solid waste management plant to come up at Balughat.”