In a remarkable achievement, Ludhiana has once again established itself as the leading smart city in Punjab, securing the coveted first position in the state and an impressive 48th rank in the entire country, as confirmed by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
This significant recognition was unveiled during a recent review of the Smart City Mission (SCM) projects in Ludhiana. Municipal Corporation Commissioner Sandeep Rishi proudly shared this news, highlighting the city’s dedication to the development and execution of smart initiatives.
Rajya Sabha MP from Ludhiana, Sanjeev Arora, played an integral role in evaluating the progress of various projects within the city. He emphasized the need for the timely completion of ongoing works, ensuring that Ludhiana’s transformation into a smart city continues seamlessly.
According to Arora, Ludhiana has achieved remarkable milestones in its journey towards becoming a smart city. Notably, 52 projects, amounting to a total of Rs 210 crore, have already been successfully completed. Furthermore, 16 schemes, worth Rs 549.1 crore, are currently under execution, and four more projects, with a combined value of Rs 161.9 crore, have been tendered for implementation.
In terms of funding, Rishi apprised Arora that Ludhiana has been judiciously utilizing the allocated funds. Out of the total allocated funds of Rs 889.25 crore, comprising Rs 441 crore from the Centre and Rs 448 crore from the state, a substantial sum of Rs 768.26 crore has already been put to effective use in various smart city initiatives.
Ludhiana’s journey to the top of Punjab’s smart city rankings has been nothing short of remarkable. In 2020, the city was placed at the 54th position in the national rankings. Since then, it has consistently improved its position, climbing to the 37th rank in 2021, 48th in 2022, and an impressive 32nd in January this year.
While Ludhiana’s latest ranking is 16 spots lower than the previous one and 11 positions below the 2021 rank, it is important to note that the city has made significant progress over the past four years, marking a notable jump of six spots in the national rankings.
Last year, Ludhiana secured the second position in Punjab, with Jalandhar claiming the top spot in 2022. However, this time, Jalandhar has slipped to the third rank in the state, securing the 84th position nationally. Meanwhile, Amritsar has achieved the 79th rank nationally and has emerged as the second-ranked city in Punjab.
Ludhiana, with its vast expanse covering 169 square kilometers and a population of 16.18 lakh as per the 2011 Census, is among the 100 cities selected for development as smart cities in India. It was one of the three cities in Punjab chosen under the SCM in 2015, a testament to its commitment to modernizing and improving the quality of life for its residents.
The achievement of being ranked as Punjab’s leading smart city and securing the 48th position nationally underscores Ludhiana’s dedication to embracing technology and innovation for a brighter, more sustainable future. The city’s progress is a testament to the hard work and determination of its citizens and officials in making Ludhiana a shining example of smart urban development in India.
