Integrity Score 400
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We visited Indore recently which is famous for its eccentric food, dense elaborate markets and cleanliness. These 50+ year old markets in the Rajwada area have dedicated roads for clothes, jewellery, bangles and anything else one would require for a wedding or otherwise. Interestingly, once the clock strikes 10 at night, these streets transform into food markets.
As we walked through the market in the day, we noticed these beautiful old buildings half eaten into by JCBs and other demolition machinery. Two years ago, under the smart city initiative, the municipal corporation started a demolition drive unannounced. According to a local shop owner, 300+ local police, authorities and their teams barricaded the area and started this process despite their protests. They lost half their shop spaces to this road widening project and have not received a rupee of compensation from the government yet.
While the rest of the world is focused on conserving heritage and making cities more pedestrian friendly, our smart city initiatives are displacing people, razing down beautiful old habitats to make way for cars and homogeneous new infrastructure. This pursuit of a smart city is leading to loss of livelihoods, work spaces, living heritage and culture. When will we start building sustainable and inclusive cities?