State Budget Unveils Major Urban Infrastructure Push
The recently presented state budget has detailed a comprehensive series of allocations for urban local bodies, with a strong emphasis on upgrading core civic infrastructure. The initiatives span across critical areas including street lighting, drainage systems, flood control mechanisms, parking facilities, sanitation services, and digital service delivery platforms.
Massive Street Lighting Initiative
A significant highlight of the budget is a major push for enhanced street lighting across municipal regions. The government has proposed installing approximately 7 lakh energy-efficient streetlights throughout cities and towns. This ambitious project carries an estimated cost exceeding Rs 500 crore. The primary objectives are to substantially improve nighttime visibility, bolster public safety, and achieve considerable energy savings through modern, efficient lighting technology.
Drainage and Flood Control Projects
Strengthening drainage infrastructure and mitigating flood risks formed another cornerstone of the budgetary allocations. Specific cities received targeted funding: Jaipur was allocated Rs 500 crore and Ajmer received Rs 200 crore specifically for upgrading and modernizing their drainage networks.
Furthermore, comprehensive flood-control works valued at Rs 1,020 crore have been proposed for urban areas in several districts, including Alwar, Bhiwadi, Udaipur, Kota, Churu, Pali, Nagaur, and Bharatpur. To ensure systematic and long-term planning for stormwater management, the budget has earmarked Rs 40 crore. This fund is designated for district-level urban local bodies to prepare detailed master drainage plans, which will guide future infrastructure development.
Urban Mobility and Parking Solutions
The budget addresses urban mobility challenges through new parking infrastructure and technology-driven management systems. A key project involves the construction of a multi-storey parking facility with a capacity for 200 vehicles in the Mount Abu–Sirohi region, with an allocated cost of Rs 10 crore.
Additionally, smart parking projects have been proposed for major cities including Jaipur, Kota, Bhilwada, Jodhpur, and Ajmer. These initiatives aim to reduce traffic congestion and streamline parking operations using advanced technological solutions. In a move to support electric vehicle adoption, the budget outlines plans to establish EV charging stations in phases at 100 major parking locations within municipal corporation areas. This rollout is intended to be executed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Digital and Civic Service Enhancements
To modernize and strengthen civic service delivery, the budget proposes the establishment of Smart Service Centres in all urban local bodies. This rollout will occur in phases. These centres will offer a range of online and time-bound services to citizens, such as the issuance of birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, fire No Objection Certificates (NOCs), and various other municipal permissions, thereby improving efficiency and accessibility.
Public Convenience and Welfare Measures
The budget also includes several measures focused on public convenience and welfare. These encompass:
- Procurement of 300 mobile toilets for urban local bodies at a cost of Rs 30 crore to improve sanitation access.
- Development of facility centres designed for both residents and tourists in Jaipur and Ajmer.
- Establishment of dog shelters across municipal areas, with an allocated outlay of Rs 40 crore for animal welfare.
- Construction of eco-cooling shelters at major public places to provide protection from extreme heat and rain, enhancing public comfort and safety.
Collectively, these budgetary allocations represent a holistic approach to urban development, targeting both physical infrastructure and digital governance to improve the quality of life for residents across the state's cities and towns.
