The revised Smart City proposal envisages development of Chandigarh Sector 17, the heart of the Union Territory, as an art and innovation centre.

The area surrounding Sector 17 Plaza will be declared as no-vehicle zone and only battery-operated carts will be deployed in the Plaza area for connecting it to parking lots.

This sector has been picked for the area-based development along with sectors 22, 53 and 43 in the revised Smart City proposal.

For attracting people of different age and income groups, landscaping and beautification of the open spaces will be done. The authorities also intend to convert large parking areas into plazas.

To generate income and employment, there is a plan to use the large space which is lying unused at present. The administration has already appointed a firm to prepare a plan for rejuvenation and beautification of Sector 17.

Additional activities have been planned for the other sectors picked for area-based development. A development plan has been envisaged in the master plan for Sector 43. A bus rapid transport system is planned along the main road of Sector 43.

The plan has laid stress on encouraging walking and cycling by creating walking and cycling tracks all along the important roads while ensuring the safety of cyclists and walkers.

With the aim to tap the local talent, the administration has laid emphasis on developing knowledge-based industry in its revised Smart City proposal.

He says that the administration is planning to come up with a centre for innovation and startups. Space for this has been earmarked in the Government Press building.