Coimbatore is one of the 12 cities in the state to have made it to the list of Smart City project. As the discussions to identify the schemes, develop a vision and strategy to attain the Smart City tag hots up in Coimbatore, CT asks people denizens what they would like to see in the city as it gears up to acquire the coveted tag.

Educationist KK Ramachandran believes that the quality of life among Coimbatoreans would undergo a sea change once the Smart City initiatives are implemented. "The city is brimming with budding entrepreneurs, business houses and migrant population. Once the city is more organized, it will be easier for these people to operate in the city, in a more effective manner. It will also provide everyone better opportunities and a better way of living."

K Ilango, former president of the Confederation of Industry, Coimbatore zone, tells us, "The top fundamental priority would be to develop the quality of infrastructure, which is a day-to-day issue an average Coimbatorean battles with. It's high time we mulled over the MRTS system that will ease out the traffic flow in the city. And this has to done before we begin work on other criteria. We need to come out with a comprehensive plan to focus on the road, railways and public transport. And when we begin work on the infrastructure, it's important that we plan in a futuristic manner, at least 25 years from now."

According to Ashok Srinithi of Coimbatore Achchamillai, basic infrastructure, redevelopment and retrofitting are the three categories that need to be worked on. "The need of the hour includes solar wind hybrid power project at different parts of the city to reduce carbon footprints; suitable waste management system which also includes educating the public on waste segregation- plastic, paper and food waste; smart communication where the Coimbatore corporation and the public can easily communicate with each other; transparency in government to eliminate corruption; smart environment in which cctvs are installed at every traffic signal to reduce criminal offenses; develop forensic department to aid the police and a helpline for working women. This apart, once we clean up the water bodies in the city, they can be used to promote tourism in the city. We also need to build a new stadium for budding athletes and reconstruct the existing stadium for professionals."

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