For pilgrim city plan, India looks to Vienna

“We studied drainage system and roads, how they work, and material used so that it can be replicated locally,” T Venugopal, CPCB director said. “Vienna was chosen as it has been rated among two best cities in the world to live in,” he added.

As a part of the ministry’s ECO-City project to beautify small cities with high “population pressure”, it has been agreed in principle that help will sought from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, and city municipal authorities.

The project will include creation and maintenance of infrastructure for sanitation and roadways. The UN organisation is likely to help in operation and maintenance.

“Big cities like Delhi, Mumbai and other metros continuously develop and improve. We selected the pilgrim towns as they are small, but have high population pressure. Each gets about 15,000 to 20,000 pilgrims a day,” Venugopal said.

The environment ministry had written to all states to identify areas with a massive “population pressure”, he said, adding, “Ten cities were identified but we decided to go for six in this pilot project.”

Development is likely to be carried out in phases. The first will consider the core area — the temple complex and the area around it.

“The first phase will not cover the entire city, but only the core area where most pilgrims arrive,” he added.

The towns have been allotted Rs 5 crore each and costs are to be shared by the environment ministry and local municipalities. Local NGOs and temple trusts will also work with the government.

With the UN organisation likely to provide funds for the project, the CPCB director said: “The only thing that needs to be worked out with UNEDO is disposal of funds.”