BHUBANESWAR: The ongoing initiative of engaging children in building ‘Smart Bhubaneswar’ on Thursday witnessed a discussion in which children donned the role of panelists and voiced their opinions before stakeholders of the Smart City project.
The child planners raised issues of transportation, waste management, healthcare and suggested ways to incorporate a child-friendly component in these sectors.
The youngsters also spoke on how the perspective and attitude of elders should change towards children to make the city smart. The event was organised by Humara Bachpan Campaign.
Child volunteers presented a series of short plays to depict unaesthetic location of drinking water taps, toilets, parks and other civic amenities which discourages children from using these in the city.
Another panelist Jasmin Nissa said while the Government stresses on modifying parks in the city as child-friendly, it should also focus on other basic facilities which children use regularly.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary of H&UD Department G Mathivathanan said plans should be designed for a smart city accessible to children.