Ensuring smart development with citizens’ participation

Gajendra Singh RalawataAjmer Municipal Corporation (AMC) is making efforts to connect every house with proper sewerage system. For transportation and traffic issues, with planned elevated roads, it is being addressed jointly with Ajmer Smart City Limited and Ajmer Development Authorities, says Gajendra Singh Ralawata, Deputy Commissioner (Development), AMC, Rajasthan, in conversation with Kartik Sharma and Harshal Y Desai of Elets News Network (ENN).

You have been handling development wing at Ajmer Municipal Corporation for a long time. Brief us on some of the major activities.

I have been serving AMC for a long time since 1995 to be precise and have worked in various capacities. I have been fortunate to be part of this corporation and proudly say that everyone in this institution has always made sincere efforts to contribute towards the development of Ajmer. The corporation has always been trying to help the citizens by performing its duties in the best possible manner. Street lighting and cleanliness are the two activities we have focussed a lot and our work has been appreciated by the citizens of the city. Besides, we pay much attention to several cultural activities that are organised for different communities. We have been ensuring release of good funds to local political representatives so that they can undertake different projects in their respective region.

What are the challenges you face? How are you addressing these issues?

Like many other cities in Rajasthan, Ajmer is also an old city where roads and streets are quite narrow which cause problems to smooth transportation. Sewerage is another issue. We are making efforts to connect every house, about 70,000–80,000, with a proper sewerage system. As far as transportation and traffic issues are concerned, I hope, with planned elevated roads, it is being addressed jointly with Ajmer Smart City Limited (ASCL) and Ajmer Development Authorities (ADA). We have also constructed public toilets at various places, and also improved infrastructure at bus stops and railways stations.

Kindly elaborate on the cultural activities undertaken by you?

Almost every festival is celebrated with enthusiasm, especially the Republic and Independence Days which are celebrated in Patel Stadium. Fagun Festival, which is celebrated around Holi, Nav Samvatsar, Janmashtami, Dussehra festivals are the foremost attractions. These days Urs Celebration is going on. People across the county are coming over here to offer their prayers at Ajmer Sharif Dargah.

What is your message for the citizens of the city?

We have tried to maintain regular contact with citizens and keep seeking their advices at various occasions. We will appreciate if the citizens abide by the rules and help the corporation in executing the services. For example, if a citizen litter on the roads, the corporation employees can clean it once or probably twice, but constant littering is a problem. We want them to proactively ensure they connect their houses with sewerage networks. We want people to come forward and let us know what sorts of other issues they are facing.

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