Slow pace of Smart City projects leads to traffic congestion, cleanliness woes

Udaipur, known for its cultural heritage and picturesque landscapes, embarked on a transformative journey to become a Smart City in 2016. In its vision of progress, the city has faced challenges, altered its landscape and brought both opportunities and disruptions for the residents.
The Smart City projects, aimed to modernise infrastructure, improve services and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors, brought forth promises of a more efficient and sustainable city, but the pace of their execution has significantly impacted the Udaipur's fabric.The slow progression of initiatives has led to a disturbed traffic scenario, overcrowded public spaces and a struggle with cleanliness.
"The city's increasing population, combined with the influx of tourists, has led to congestion in various areas. Traffic snarls have become a common sight due to ongoing construction and road repairs. The overpopulation of popular tourist spots has added to the challenge, resulting in crowded and sometimes chaotic environments," said Dinesh Paliwal, a tourist guide. "Political parties and politicians in power should ensure that development projects get completed in a time-bound manner, with least inconvenience to the common man," Paliwal said.
Shahid Ahmed, a resident of a posh locality in Udaipur, said the initiatives for waste management, including the provision for garbage collection from homes, has implementation hurdles. "Though a system exists, many areas in Udaipur remain dirty, with garbage disposal and management presenting a persisting problem. The inefficiency in waste collection and the lack of adherence to cleanliness standards in some parts of the city have impacted its overall aesthetic and hygienic conditions," said Ahmed.
The continuous digging up of roads for various projects has contributed to traffic woes, causing inconvenience to commuters and affecting the city's overall functionality. These factors have cumulatively impacted Udaipur's ranking in cleanliness indices, leading to a decline in its position compared to the previous years.
Despite these challenges, Udaipur has recently received several accolades at the international level. These awards recognise the city's efforts in heritage preservation, tourism and cultural conservation. "The city's dedication to maintaining its historical significance while adapting to modern times has been acknowledged on a global platform, emphasizing its cultural richness and diverse offerings," said Abhishek Kothari, a tour operator.