The diamond city has taken a step forward to become India’s first ‘eco city’, along the lines of Singapore.
After selecting Surat as one of the three cities in the world for a demonstration project for an “eco city” development, UK-based charity The Ecological Sequestration Trust (TEST) has decided to spend nearly Rs 50 crore over a period of five years to build a sustainable development model that will be more environment-friendly.
TEST will begin working with its local partner South Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry by July 1.
The funds will be used in setting up a pilot project of green buildings with reduced heat and minimized water use, an intelligent transport system, a system to periodically forecast traffic and weather at different spots on cellphones through a global positioning system, road mapping to suggest better routes for travel by own vehicles, setting up prototypes of recycling of used water and setting up efficient transport systems that reduces road requirements by half.
Peter Head, head of TEST said, “Surat can be the next Singapore in terms of ecology and water management systems.”
TEST, which has joined hands with leading consultancy firm TARU, will start planning for the creation of an ecologically sustainable mega city by July 1 after working out contractual agreements with the local climate change trust and the city advisory board.
The prototype of the eco city focuses on three core sectors - water, energy and food security. These will be addressed by integrating land use planning with issues of water supply, sanitation, sewerage and transportation in the master plan - scheduled to be out by 2013.
GM Bhat of TARU said, “We want intelligent transport systems in the city. This will club in public transport and para transit like rickshaws and other modes of travel. If a commuter can have all the information of his destination before leaving, he will not use private transport.”
The target is to see that at least 75 per cent population switches to public transport in five years.
TEST will set up an eco-social cartography centre and chalk out land availability and business plans for the Surat Municipal Corporation in such way that it gets quality data for developing the model.
Local industries in Hazira will help with this plan.
Surat Urban Development Authority’s (SUDA) senior town planner, SK Datta, said, “The integration of sanitation, sewerage and other amenities along with land use in the master plan 2013 will change the face of Surat city dramatically.”
SMC has set a target of reducing its carbon emission from 3.71 tonne per capita by 35 per cent in three years.
Green House Effect
* Reduction in urban city temperatures by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius.
* Open spaces to produce food especially vegetables
* Reduction in travel time and cost through intelligent transport system
* Lower energy costs by generating energy from the waste
* Buildings with green top technology
* Reduction in water use
* Recycling of water
