In a major development of sorts, the city of Kolkata has obtained the 2nd position amongst 23 top Indian cities by way of governance and its quality. It has pipped rivals like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad to take the second position. Kolkata has also outscored most of its coveted rival metros in terms of othe other parameters. Kolkata has obtained the second position on legitimate and empowered political representation and third position in urban planning and development. It has attained the 6th and 10th positions for urban capacity & resources and transparency, accountability and participation respectively.
This achievement comes after the annual survey of the city systems of the country or ASICS was released by the Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation is striving to ensure that the city touches the number one spot over the next 2-3 years. Per capita expenditure has gone up in Kolkata over the last 2-3 years and currently stands at approximately Rs. 1, 546. Kolkata is amongst the 9 cities out of the total tally that comply with budgetary timelines as regulated by law. Kolkata is also amongst 12 cities where there is online availabillity of audited financial statements.
Kolkata has also performed exceedingly well in terms of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (Amrut) parameters such as the publication of e-newsletters, credit ratings, implementation of the accounting system based on double-entry. Kolkata is witnessing a greater shift towards transparency and governance that is online with all payments and sanctions for buildings available with greater convenience.
The emphasis on infrastructure, urban planning and design has also boosted real estate in Kolkata. There are several mega projects coming up in the city right from the gargantuan Trump Tower on the EM Bypass to premium luxury developments like Merlin The One and Merlin Verve in Tollygunge and many others in areas like Rajarhat-New Town, EM Bypass, Topsia and other fringes of south and west Kolkata. Even peripheral zones of the city like Madhyamgram and Barasat are benefiting from rapid infrastructural growth, new flyovers, better public transportation facilities and the expansion of the metro network.
There are several new proposals for building more subways, flyovers and underpasses for easing congestion. Kolkata is also witnessing the growth of proper physical infrastructure even in fringe zones like Sonarpur, Narendrapur, Baruipur, Joka and areas near the airport which has led to massive real estate growth.
