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Not along ago, about a hundred years ago, Jaipur city had
been regarded as a fairy tale city of the world, ranking among the top ten
beautiful cities of the world. Unfortunately, an uncontrolled expansion over
the last seventy years has now converted it to not just one of the poorly
ranked cities of the world but also of India. Tourists still flock to see
the charm that lies hidden within its deterioration but that is little solace
for those who love the city.
Fortunately, with a little effort, the city can be restored
and recover its old glory again, Indeed some beginnings is already being made
in the direction. In the view of this author, familiar with the city from time
of his grandparents, seven things can restore the status of the city to its old
glory and more. These are as follows
1. Restoration of Dravyavati
River
In an older post (see this note from 2012) this author had mentioned the importance of
creating water bodies in and around the city of Jaipur including the Amanishah Nala area that
was once a seasonal river. It would help restore falling ground water table in
the city. It is essential since without water there is no life. Fortunately the
present Chief Minister of the state has appreciated the idea and intense
efforts are underway to restore the Dravyavati
River along with shallow
check dams along its route. The plan is to treat waste water from the city now
charged with Bisalpur dam from far away and use it to charge the river aside
from seasonal rains. With this, the first and most important step towards
restoration of Jaipur is already underway. The major impediment is however the
last step to be mentioned soon
2. Inner City
The inner walled city of Jaipur has similarly suffered much
encroachments and dilapidation over the years. Far more intense efforts are
required for restoration and conservation here. Some of its sections such as
the area between Sanghaneri Gate through Johri Bazaar past Hawa Mahal needs to
be completely blocked to modern vehicular traffic leaving it fully for
pedestrians and rickshaws only along the lines of International practice for
inner city malls. This part of the city is one of the proudest of heritages of
mankind and needs to be honored as such
3. Green Lungs, Central Park
The Central Park is a major
green lung of the city and needs expansion by including the recently acquired
area of Lakshmi Vilas rather than turning the latter for commercial greed.
Similarly there is a need for expansion and improvement of green forested areas around
the city that include the Elephant Vllage, Nahargarh and Jhalana reserves. A
modernization of the hill road to Nahargarh fort is a crying need.
4. International
Airport
The city already has a fine railway station and efforts are
underway to improve the highway and bus stations. Some years ago the Jaipur Airport
was converted to an International one. Now the need is to convert it to one of
the best International airports of the world.
5. Metro
A Metro transport service has begun in the city. Efforts to
add additional phases from Ambavari to Sitapur and from Bhankrota along Ajmer road to old
transport Nagar through Raja park need rapid progress. A mono-rail section
connecting Amer to Ram Niwas Bagh through Jal Mahal, Metro point and inner city
is also needed, especially for tourist traffic.
6. Urban Management
While progress on the first five steps mentioned here is
possible and has begun in many ways already, this last and most essential step
would be difficult but in fact most necessary. Without it, the city should give
up any dreams of becoming a fine city but rather prepare itself for further
decay. Presently the city is managed by two authorities – a Nigam and a
development authority. Both have not been adequate for the task for reasons best
not discussed here. Trying to improve them would now be futile it seems such is
the situation. There is a huge revamp needed by merging, deleting and
innovating to create a new single authority on the lines of the Kyoto city of Japan or other famous historical
cities. It is hoped that a new dynamic leadership will emerge that can
undertake this task and take this most essential step towards restoring Jaipur
as one of the proud and beautiful cities of the planet.
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