AGARTALA, Sep 17 (TIWN): CPI-M controlled Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) failed to keep drainage systems operational to bring respite from street-floodings after every rain. An hour’s rain gripped Agartala City under water on Saturday, spoiling all the joys of people celebrating Viswakarma Puja. Viswakarma Puja pandals were heavily damaged due to this sudden rain. Tripura Govt. although receiving enormous Central Fundings to upgrade the capital city but PWD, Urban Development Departments have recently rejected the proposal of 50:50 cost sharing of ‘SMART’ city fundings. Although PM Modi said that “Urbanisation shall be considered as an opportunity, not obstracle as Urbanization can reduce poverty”, but the Communist govt. in Tripura has simply denied the proposal as the Central Govt. tightened the way to loot central funds in this projects with the announcement of 50:50 (Central : State) fund sharing.During the budget counter speech AMC Mayor Prafullajit Sinha talked about various projects ongoing and also completed project among which he claimed about the almost completion of JNNURM’s (Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission) Rs. 102.22 crores, which was sanctioned for Storm Water Drainage system.

But in reality there is no sign of proper drainage yet flowing in Agartala city. With a few splash of rain the city drowns into water and water logging till waist, is very common for Agartala City.

Agartala was selected under the 13 top urban cities which are now ready to be converted into SMART Cities.  But in reality there is no sign of Agartala’s becoming a SMART City as till day there is no proper drainage system in Agartala city.

With a few splash of rain the city floods and water logging till waist, is very common for Agartala City. Whereas Agartala city is aimed convert into a SMART City in future, but it has remained as one of the most ‘Garbage-dumping-ground.

Under Manik Sarkar’s regime another example of  AMC’s planning skills across the Agartala city. The whole city is hit with dirty smells, garbage beside the road and resulting into unhygienic condition.

However, it’s worthy to mention here that in the performance budget (2015-16)  & outcome budget (2016-17), declared by Mayor Prafullajit Sinha it was written that, “The main funding of AMC gathered from Tax. In 2015-2016 FY, Rs. 438.26 Lakhs were gathered by AMC, whereas in 2016-17 the target is about Rs. 80 lakhs”. Thus the gap between 2 FYs seems as around Rs. 42 lakhs, which will be however a huge for Agartala residents.

With hiked up incomes, AMC still failed to provide seamless sewage system which is a basic necessity in any cities.

PM Modi’s 98,000 crores Urban development projects helping other State capitals but reeling under corruption in Tripura Left-front Era, SMART City mission is also remaining as a dream for Agartala.