First things first, like most of people living in the national capital, I too want to see Delhi as a Smart City. I have been living here for a long time, and this beautiful city has witnessed all the highs and lows of my life. From my school days to leading India to U-19 World Cup victory in 2012, this city has helped me grow. There has never been a dull moment here. But if it has to become a Smart City, Delhi has to solve a few issues.
First, the traffic issues need to be addressed. I support the Odd-Even rule as it not only helps reduce pollution, but also tackles traffic snarls. More attention should be given to public transport, and more regular and AC buses introduced. Also, the whole city should be connected with the Metro. So far, the authorities have been able to develop the public transportation system somewhat, but more needs to be done.
Like in all the major cities, the Delhi Metro needs to have Wi-Fi connections at all stations. This facility is already available in some of the major stations but the service needs to be spread throughout the city. That’s not all. Sanitation requires special attention. To make Delhi a Smart City, there should be more public toilets, especially for women. This will not only bolster the sanitation facilities, it will also stop people from urinating at public places.
Over the last few years, Delhi Police has done a wonderful job in keeping a check on drunken driving, by introducing regular checks. This has brought down the number of accidents and made driving on the roads easier. To be a Smart City, this needs to continue. I also appreciate the concept of cycling days. This will cut down on pollution and motivate people to take up cycling seriously.
We have everything from malls to cafes; now all we need are some basic amenities and public support to make Delhi a smart city. Strict penalties should be imposed if people don’t abide by the rules. These small things can help Delhi walk towards development.
The writer is a cricketer. He led India U-19 team to World Cup win in 2012 (as told to Shayan Acharya)