The smart city of Srinagar, in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, has emerged victorious in the State Level City Beauty Competition. Organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India (GoI), this prestigious competition aims to recognize and encourage efforts to create beautiful, innovative, and inclusive public spaces.
Jehlum River Front and Polo View High Street
Among the winners of the City Beauty Competition were Jehlum River Front and Polo View High Street. These locations were acknowledged as the ‘Beautiful Waterfront and Market Place’ in the Union Territory of J&K. The recognition showcases the unique features and attractions of these areas, emphasizing the need for transformative efforts in developing urban spaces.
Rajbagh Ward: Victorious in the Municipal Ward Category
In addition to Jehlum River Front and Polo View High Street, Rajbagh Ward in Srinagar emerged victorious in the Municipal Ward Category. This acknowledgement highlights the efforts of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and Srinagar Smart City in creating beautiful and inclusive public spaces for the community.
Initiative to Encourage City Beautification
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs initiated the City Beauty Competition as a platform for Municipal Corporations (MCs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) nationwide to showcase their urban areas’ unique features and attractions. The objective is to foster and acknowledge transformative efforts in creating beautiful, innovative, and inclusive public spaces. The competition evaluates cities and wards based on five key pillars: Accessibility, Amenities, Activities, Aesthetics, and Ecology. A panel of jury consisting of Town Planners, Heritage, Environment, and Fine Arts Experts conducted a thorough evaluation, leading to the selection of Srinagar’s entries.
Praise for SMC and Srinagar Smart City
Dr. Owais Ahmed, IAS Commissioner SMC/Chief Executive Officer, SSCL, expressed his satisfaction with the quality of entries and congratulated SMC and Srinagar Smart City for their contributions to the beauty of Srinagar. He emphasized the need for more initiatives that promote beauty, innovation, and inclusivity in public spaces across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The Housing and Urban Development Department also conveyed its warmest congratulations to SMC and Srinagar Smart City for their outstanding entries in the competition. The government recognized their efforts in beautifying and creating attractive public spaces in the cityscape.
National-level Recognition
It is worth noting that the winning entries from Srinagar Municipal Corporation and Srinagar Smart City in the State Level City Beauty Competition have also qualified for the National Level Competition. Participating at the national level will provide further opportunities for Srinagar to showcase its commitment to creating aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly urban spaces. In conclusion, Srinagar’s success in the State Level City Beauty Competition is a significant achievement. The recognition for Jehlum River Front, Polo View High Street, and Rajbagh Ward emphasizes the importance of creating beautiful, innovative, and inclusive public spaces in the smart city. The acknowledgment of SMC and Srinagar Smart City’s efforts demonstrates their commitment to enhancing the city’s aesthetics and overall livability.
