Live Talk Show with Municipal Corporation Amritsar and Guru Nanak Dev University

As a part of smart city challenge stage 2 for inclusion of Amritsar in the first 20 cities. A brain storming Live Talk Show was conducted by Municipal Corporation Amritsar in collaboration with Guru Ram Das School of Planning and Architecture in Guru Nanak University Campus. A team of consultants from Jones Lang LaSalle (J.L.L) in consortium with Tata Consulting Engineers and Townland Consultants presented their Smart City Presentation to the learned faculty and distinguish young planners and architects of the university. Shri Pradeep Sabharwal I.A.S Commissioner, Municipal Corporation specially spared time to be part of this consultation and remained glued with the conference for more than two hours. Shri. Sorabh Vohra, Infrastructure Consultant from J.L.L explained the participant’s the smart city concepts while giving his presentation on Smart City in detail. During his presentation he appraised the participants about the various pan city level solutions and about the area based development. The faculty members also shared their views and suggestions on smart city proposal which would be incorporated in the draft proposal for Amritsar City. A variety of questions were put up by the students and faculty members to the consultants and the officials.

Shri Rajneesh Kalia Deputy Registrar also graced the occasion. The following faculty Members namely Professor Gopal Johri HOD Guru Ram Das School of Planning, Professor Ashwin Luthra, Professor Kiran Sandhu, Professor Balwinder Singh, Professor Karanjeet Singh Sandhu, Professor Sakshi Sahani form Guru Ram Das School of Planning were present while the architectural department was represented by Professor Meenakshi Head of Department besides Professor Sarabjeet Singh Bahal and Professor Sandeep Dua. In the opening speech Shri Gopal Johari HOD, while welcoming Commissioner Mr. Sabahrwal advised the students to put maximum suggestions on the mygov.in website so that their voice can reach in the PMO Office of Govt. of India who is daily reviewing this site. Professor Bahal suggested that for making Amritsar smart it may not go in vertical way rather we should ensure smart solution to the existing centaury old development of Amritsar City. One of the suggestion from Professor Kiran Sandhu was not to add traffic to the walled city by making constructing more multi-level parking rather we should develop cycling and pedestrian path. Professor Balwinder Singh suggested that while making development under Smart City the heritage character should not be disturbed. One of the good suggestions that came from the student was on the houseless population of Amritsar to provide a better way of life by smart solutions under smart city proposal.

The session ended with a vote of thanks from Prof Balwinder Singh with a resolve that faculty as well the students will actively participate in smart city proposal as per the aspirations and demands of citizens of Amritsar. He also thanks Shri. P.K.Goyal, Superintendent Engineer (Civil) and Shri. Sunil Mahajan Executive Engineer (Civil) for making this seminar a grant success at a short notice.