Greenery. Not quite the word we get to hear these days, considering how our activities have led to an increase in global warming, and pollution. Eventually, greenery is supposed to fade, isn’t it? Yet, fortunately, the city of Gujarat in India, known as Gandhinagar has been accorded as the greenest capital city in Asia with more than 50% of its total area covered in trees. One such city, named after Mahatma Gandhi, has taken a prominent and significant step towards a balanced environment.

Gandhinagar is the capital of Gujarat and a well-maintained, planned city known for its vast number of trees. Located on the banks of the River Sabarmati, Gandhinagar has around 32 lakh trees and is one of the cleanest and greenest cities of India.

However, if attempts to minimize pollution aren’t taken, this title will no longer adhere to this noble green city. Either by design or imbecility, the re-planning of Gandhinagar by the Consultants of Gandhinagar Urban Development Authority (GUDA) has obliterated its identity as a capital city. It’s consciously designed and planned axial plan & egalitarian, Gandhian ethos has been dismantled. The juggernaut of unbridled capitalism has led to its debasement and inorganic extension resulting in Gandhinagar becoming just another suburb of India, which of course none would want.

This calls for attention. Recognizing the problem, the Indian Government has taken major steps towards promoting sustainable development, one of which is the Gandhinagar Smart City.

The Government of India launched the Smart Cities Mission on 25th June, 2015 with an objective to promote sustainable and inclusive cities that provide core infrastructure and give a decent quality of life to its citizens, a clean and sustainable environment and application of ‘Smart’ Solutions. Gandhinagar secured 9th rank among 30 new cities announced on 23rd June, 2017 by Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) for development as smart cities under the Smart City Mission. The implementation of the Mission at the City level is being done by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) created for the purpose.

Gandhinagar Smart City proposal consisted of two components – (i) Area Based Development & (ii) Pan City Solution. As a part of Area based development projects, major ABD projects include storm water drainage in sectors of Gandhinagar, community toilet, underpass at G-4 & GH-4, Smart road, Four Laning, revamping of Anganwadi centers, amusement parks, open spaces, skill development center, etc. The pan city solution includes intelligent traffic integrated transport management, smart water and waste management, real-time environment monitoring, CCTV surveillance, Wi-Fi services across city and online service delivery to improve public service delivery and digital inclusion.

Albeit the Indian Government has taken steps to prevent any future mishaps, greenery cannot be achieved on the long run, if normal citizens aren’t to unite and avoid being a problem to mother earth.