Quick Takeaways
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Deterioration of Smart Poles: The smart poles installed in Visakhapatnam as part of the Smart City Mission are now rusting and non-functional, leading to public dissatisfaction due to their failure to provide intended services.
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Investment and Purpose: Approximately ₹15 crore was spent to install smart poles across 50 locations for disaster alerts and environmental monitoring, but their operational capacity has diminished since initial usage, especially after Cyclone Hudhud.
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Maintenance Challenges: Efforts to restore the smart poles have been hampered by a quoted maintenance cost of ₹80 crore, resulting in the withdrawal of maintenance plans until the tenure of the Smart City Mission ends in March 2025.
- Future Prospects: Post-2025, the management of the poles will transition to the State government, with plans to potentially enhance their functionality for emergency services and public disaster alerts in the next financial year.
Smart Poles Gather Rust in Visakhapatnam, Call for Revival Grows
Visakhapatnam’s smart poles, part of the Union government’s Smart City Mission-2015, now sit idle across the city. Once designed to provide vital services, these structures have fallen into disrepair. Residents express frustration over their inability to fulfill their intended roles, especially for tourists and visitors.
The city installed these poles at 50 strategic locations, including RK Beach and VMRDA Central Park, at a cost of approximately ₹15 crore. Initially, they served various purposes like public announcements and disaster alerts. However, functionality ceased several years ago.
Officials confirm the inactivity of the poles. One source shared, “We tried to bring them back into use but faced significant funding challenges.” A proposed maintenance contract quoted around ₹80 crore, prompting authorities to abandon the effort. Currently, the Smart City Mission is set to conclude in March 2025, after which ownership will transfer to the state government.
Despite their current state, many view the smart poles as valuable assets. Equipped with features like CCTV cameras, environmental sensors, and free Wi-Fi, they could significantly enhance public safety and awareness. They can deliver real-time updates on weather and emergencies, benefiting various departments such as the Fire and Police Services.
Though the poles are inactive now, a revival plan may emerge in the new financial year starting April 1, 2025. Local authorities are optimistic. Revitalizing these smart poles could represent a step forward in urban innovation, enhancing Visakhapatnam’s status as a smart city.
With community support and renewed investment, these structures could serve as vital tools for improving safety and connectivity in the city.
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