Lok Sabha Question No. 234 (STARRED), answered on 2022-12-22
Subject: Cochin Smart City Project
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Hibi Eden

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 234

## TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 22, 2022

## COCHIN SMART CITY PROJECT

## NO. 234.    SHRI HIBI EDEN:

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to include child-friendly features in all Cochin Smart City projects;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  decisions,  project  list, estimated funds and challenges in this regard; and
- (c) whether  resting  places  for  children  would  be  constructed  on footpaths of major roads under the project and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

- (a) to (c) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY OF PARTS (a) to (c) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *234 (14 TH  POSITION) FOR ANSWER ON 22.12.2022 REGARDING COCHIN SMART CITY PROJECT. (a)  to  (c):  Government  of  India  launched  the  Smart  Cities  Mission (SCM) on 25 June 2015.  100 Smart Cities, including Kochi, have been selected through 4 rounds of competition from January 2016 to June 2018. Projects of Kochi Smart City are being implemented by Cochin Smart Mission Limited (CSML), a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) created for the  purpose.    CSML  aims  to  enhance  core  infrastructure  of  the  city with primary focus on promoting sustainable and inclusive development  in  the  densely  populated  areas  of  the  city  benefitting larger populations including young children and their caregivers. Nurturing  Neighborhoods  Challenge  is  a  3-year  old  initiative  of  the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) that aims to enable cities adopt an early childhood lens in designing neighborhood-level improvements  that  promote  health  and  well-being  of  young  children and  their  caregivers.  A  cohort  of  25  cities  was  initially  selected  for capacity building to implement actions under the Challenge of which 10  cities  viz.  Bengaluru,  Hubbali-Dharwad,  Indore,  Jabalpur,  Kochi, Kakinada,  Kohima,  Rourkela,  Vadodara,  and  Warangal  were  finally declared winners. Inspired by the Nurturing Neighborhoods Challenge, CSML is incorporating young children and caregiver-friendly lens in a variety of its  projects  such  as  development  of  outdoor  play  spaces  in  Early Childhood Development (ECD) facilities, enhancing existing parks and public open spaces to suit the needs of young children and caregivers. CSML,  along  with  the  Kochi  Municipal  Corporation  (KMC),  have  also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with WRI India to help scale  up  young  children  and  caregiver-friendly  projects  in  Kochi.  A Nurturing Neighbourhoods Cell consisting of members from CSML and KMC has been formed to formulate and implement such projects. This

Cell  reviews  all  ongoing  initiatives,  facilitates  inter-departmental  coordination, collection of relevant data, and ensures regular evaluation and monitoring of those projects. Details of projects benefitting young children  and  caregivers  which  have  either  been  completed  or  are ongoing in Kochi Smart City are given below:-

(₹ in Crore)

| S.No.   | Project                                                                                                       |   Project Cost | Status of Project   |
|---------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------|---------------------|
| 1.      | Development of Smart Roads in Ernakulam ABD                                                                   |          61.53 | Completed           |
| 2.      | Open Space Corridor Linking from DH Ground to Mangalavanam                                                    |           7.84 | Completed           |
| 3.      | Development of Open Spaces, Playgrounds and Museum of Freedom Struggle in West Kochi                          |           4.23 | Completed           |
| Total   | Total                                                                                                         |          73.6  | Completed           |
| 4.      | Development of Parks & Open Spaces in Ernakulam Area Package-4                                                |           4.84 | Work in Progress    |
| 5.      | Upgradation of Anganwadi's in West Kochi under SCM, Kochi                                                     |           2.18 | Work in Progress    |
| 6.      | Place-making and Beautification of Poovath Road and Durbar Hall Ground in Ernakulam ABD Area under SCM, Kochi |           1.4  | Work in Progress    |
| Total   | Total                                                                                                         |           8.42 | Work in Progress    |

Kochi  Smart  City  is  creating  robust  operational  models  for  such projects  and  is  trying  to  formulate  city-level  policies  with  needs  of young  children  and  caregivers  at  the  core.  It  is  also  working  to enhance capacity of relevant stakeholders to deal with such issues.

As part of 'Development of Smart Roads in Ernakulam & West Kochi area',  all  footpaths  are  being  made  child-friendly  by  installation  of multi-heighted seating spaces, without obstructing  movement  of pedestrians.    These  benches  made  from  100%  recycled  plastic  have been  installed  on  the  pedestrian  walkway,  wherever  feasible,  along Gandhi  Square  at  Marine  Drive.  In  addition,  CSML  is  installing  childfriendly street furniture across the city.

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