Smart City Development - India (Republication of 2014 Post)
This post on ‘The
Economic Affairs’ blog presents ideas for creation of economic development for
small towns in India. In this case we look for the ways to build &
strengthen the economy of Sultanganj, Bhagalpur (A small town in India).
Sultanganj has advantage in tourism sector which attracts millions of tourists
every year. The small town and a potential smart city has economy dependent on
tourism and agriculture. Let us discuss building a vibrant economy based on
these areas of strength. This case study can help in building similar cases for
small town and smart city development, urban growth in India.
In fact, with
recent announcement to develop 100 smart cities in India, Sultanganj –
Bhagalpur area may have the potential to be developed as smart city.
The Indian economy
is the world's tenth-largest by nominal GDP and third-largest by purchasing
power parity (PPP). India is considered one of the fastest-growing economies in
the world.
It is considered
that Urbanisation is an indication of transformation from traditional economies
to modern and progressive Economy. To achieve a higher and better urbanization one
should think about creating and developing small towns in India.
However only 31
percent population lives in urban area. Let us consider case of America, which
is world’s largest economy. America has 81 percent of its population living in
urban area.
Small towns like
Sultanganj can be developed and act as link to the development of rural
economy. Emphasis can be on building basic infrastructure, facilitating
tourism. Along with this education sector and agro based industries can be
encouraged to support in building a sustainable economy. Sultanganj can act as
satellite town for growing cities like Bhagalpur. It can also leverage the
advantage of proximity with Bhagalpur, the silk city of eastern India. This
will lead to creation of a vibrant economy and will achieve the potential of
smaller towns like Sultanganj.
Small town growth
story can also be developed around one of strength area like tourism. It can
slowly scale up in other sectors like silk yarn manufacturing, agro based
industries. It is gaining fact worldwide, that micro, small and medium
industries are known as the engine of economic growth. MSMEs have the advantage
of creating employment at low capital cost. Promotion of micro small and medium
enterprises in small towns like Sultanganj can create equitable development.
Background of a
small town – Explore ideas to create opportunities
============================================================================
Sultanganj, a small
town in India, a Smart City in future….
Sultanganj is a small town in Bihar, India, which has millions of pilgrims, devotees of God Shiva. Few million tourists visit this town every year. This town is known for Lord Shiva’s temple in water of river Ganga. This ancient temple of Lord Shiva (Ajgabinath Temple) on top of hill at the bed of River Ganga at Sultanganj attracts several millions of pilgrims. Every year pilgrims who take Ganga water (Sacred Ganga Jal) from Sultanganj on their way to pray Lord Shiva in Deoghar (Babadham Temple).
2.
The town is also known to be the ancient place of
famous Sage Jahanavi
3.
Sultanganj is place of great antiquities. The town
has contributed to the World’s largest
Metal Buddha to the London Museum known as Sultanganj
Buddha. Many other antiquities found are preserved in Patna museum.
Sultanganj is said to have mythological linkages.
4.
The Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary is
India's only dolphin sanctuary spread over 50 km along the Ganges. This
Dolphin sanctuary is located in Bihar's Bhagalpur district. The sanctuary is a
50 km stretch of the Ganges River from Sultanganj to Kahalgaon. The Gangetic dolphin is declared
as the National Aquatic Animal of India which is found in Ganga
Basin and the Vikramshila
Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary is established near the town
(around Bhagalpur).
According to a report from Times of India, Shravani Mela brings business boom, shows that Deoghar does a business of 2500 Crores in 30 days where 50 lakhs devotees visit the temple in Deoghar. Considering if only 30 lakhs tourists come to Sultanganj and spend only one fifth (20%) of what they spend at Deoghar, this could mean a business worth 300 Crores for Sultanganj.
Millions of tourists visit Sultanganj is an opportunity for this small town. In fact it includes international tourists from Nepal, Bhutan and other countries. Local authorities, communities can leverage the advantage of this and build more opportunities around tourism. Later this tourism sector can be used to scale up and create opportunities around other sectors as well.
In the small temple town of Sultanganj, authorities can focus on establishing micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to create more jobs. The authorities and local communities can build educational institutions to serve the people of this town. A centre for showcasing local arts & handicraft, named Manjusha art can be established. Indian small town, Sultanganj, can leverage the proximity with silk city Bhagalpur and encourage entrepreneurs for Seri culture and silk yarn manufacturing. Since Sultanganj has rural connection it can also develop agro based industries.
Another area of
focus could be Aqua and Spiritual Tourism. As India’s only dolphin sanctuary
falls under this stretch of Ganga River, local authorities can explore
establishing of Aqua Tourism Centre for Dolphins.
Converting any
place into a town with business opportunities and creating jobs will be
possible if the tourism along with other economic activities is promoted spread
over entire year. Building and creating opportunities for economic development
of small towns like Sultanganj can focus on following sectors.
1. Tourist Centre
2. Expansion
of Educational Institutions
3. Yoga
cum Meditation Centre
4. Textile
Industries / Silk Yarn Manufacturing
5. Infrastructure
6. Transport
Center
7. Commercial
& Retail Center
8. Agro
Based Industrial Hub & Food Processing Center
9. Brick,
Plywood, Jute & related Industries
10. Aqua Park,
Dolphin Watch Centre & Dolphin Theme Park
Challenges in making a Vibrant
Economy
1. One of the
challenges Sultanganj faces is that most of the tourists or 90% of the yearly
tourists visit Sultanganj only in the month of Savan (month of
July-August) that is mostly for one month.
2. This small town in
India has no or very few industries.
3. Economy is largely dependent
on agriculture and one month fair (Shravani Mela)
A view of opportunities for economic development for making Sultanganj as a Smart City
A Chart of various potential investment model and Return on Investment
(R.O.I.)
Investment potential in Sultanganj
and projected Return on Investment
|
Sr No |
Focus Area |
Development Model |
Target Population / Audience |
Investment |
Return on Investment (R.O.I.) |
|
1. |
Tourism |
Public / Private |
30 Lakhs or 3 Million Tourists |
Low to High |
Very High |
|
2. |
Aqua Park / Dolphin Watch
Center |
Public / Private |
More than 3 Million Visitors
(Can attract International Tourists) |
Medium To High |
High |
|
3. |
Agro Based Industries |
Private |
Surroundings of Sultanganj
covering 0.5 to 1.0 Million People |
Medium to High |
Medium to High |
|
4. |
Yoga and Meditation
Center |
NGO & Religious Bodies, Reputed Institutions |
1 to 3 Million People |
Low |
Not Applicable |
|
5. |
Textile / Silk Yarn
Manufacturing |
Private |
Complements Bhagalpur Silk
Industries & can have same client base as Bhagalpur in
addition to 3 million Pilgrims |
Medium to High |
Medium |
|
6. |
Industrial Hub |
Private |
Local surrounding areas and
their economies |
Medium |
Medium to High |
|
7. |
Education Center |
Public Private |
Surroundings of Sultanganj
covering 0.5 to 1.0 Million People |
Medium |
Not Applicable |
|
8. |
Commercial Hub |
Private |
1 to 3 million people |
High |
Very High |
|
9. |
Infrastructure
|
Public / Private |
1 to 3 million people |
Very High |
Very High |
|
These
investments may vary from few Thousands [Low] to few Millions
[High] and may attract returns accordingly. 1 lakh = 0.1 Million; 1 Million
= 10 Lakhs |
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|
|
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1. Tourism in Temple Town of Sultanganj
Sultanganj, a
growing eastern Indian town, has few million tourists
visiting every year, includes international tourists. Sultanganj is also a
place of great antiquities. What a better background for developing a town than
this which has millions of tourists.
Taking a cue from
ex-President Abdul Kalam about developing “Spiritual Tourism”, one can explore
to build local economy at Sultanganj and create thousands of jobs. To achieve
that, a multiyear tourism plan can be developed by local authority that would
include road, transport and infrastructure development.
Let us look at ways that can be achieved to develop Tourism at Sultanganj.
1. Restoring the beauty of Ajgavinath Temple which used to be surrounded by the holy river Ganges. It will be wonderful gift to the temple town. This will bring back the original beauty of Temple at middle of the Gages river bed and attract more tourists.
2. Sultanganj is known
of its antiquity. Can we think to develop the carvings on the Mountain of
Murali Pahad, other exaction sites as tourist visit centres?
3. Renovation of
Palace of King (Krishnagarh Palace) either as museum
or a hotel or Palace can be another tourist attraction.
4. Have Shravani Mela
inaugurated by renowned spiritual leaders like Dalai Lama participates in
Buddhist functions
5. Engage management
consultants to do a study of Shravani Mela at Sultanganj can help finding
innovating ideas for improvement and economic development.
2. Expansion of Educational Center
This temple town
Sultanganj is very close to ancient Vikramshila University at Bhagalpur.
Local authorities can take initiative to establish few more educational
institutes and meditation centre. Initiatives can be taken for investors
to open various educational institutions.
1. Establish few
more Primary Schools, Middle Schools and High Schools
2. Establish
more colleges with UG & PG Courses along with various Management Courses as
below
a. CROWD Management
(Place caters to Millions of tourists and can serve as practical ground for
crowd management courses)
b. Agriculture
Management
c. Tourism
Management
d. Tourism
Promotional and Guide Training Courses
3. ITI college
(Industrial Training Institute) with trades like Tailoring, sculpting,
Traditional Arts and Craft, Tailoring, Painting and traditional courses like
electrical, Mason, Carpentry etc.
4. Agriculture
College /Seri culture Development Course to promote Agro, Silk and related
industries
5. Promote
Manjusha Art and Cultural
6. Dolphin
Research Centre (Establish a division of Research Center)
7. Few Study
Centres of Bhagalpur University can be opened here
3. Yoga Cum Meditation
Centre, Building Spiritual Tourism At Sultanganj
India is also known for its connectivity to spirituality, yoga and meditation.
Sultanganj has been
traditionally associated with Jahanu sage, whose ashram was a center of
learning and culture. With millions of tourists (read religious devotees)
visiting Sultanganj, one can think of having Yoga and Meditation center.
On Ganges Island,
Yoga cum Mediation Center can be developed. A branch of renowned Munger’s School of Yoga can be
opened. Since there are lots of pilgrims visiting this place a Meditation cum
Yoga center would help them learn Yoga and practice spirituality. This can
further scale up for health management and naturopathy.
4. Textile & Silk
Yarn Manufacturing
Bhagalpur is known
as Silk City of Bihar. It is famous for
Seri-culture, silk yarn manufacturing known as Tusser Silk. An estimated
turnover of businesses in silk cloth is about 100 Crores per annum.
Probably Bhagalpur cluster is the second highest in silk fabric production and
exports after the Karnataka state (Mysore Silk Industry).
Encouraging and
establishing a few Micros and small scale silk yarn manufacturing units in and
around Sultanganj can help supplement tourism sector. A modest 10 percentage of
silk yarn manufactured from Sultanganj can turn this town into active economic
zone. This silk industry can easily find its customers in pilgrims and
international tourists. Local authorities can provide additional incentives/
tax breaks for the new and existing textile/handloom units if they set up their
units in Sultanganj.
Keeping in view of 3
-5 millions tourists as potential buyers of following FMCG/PRODUCTS can be
manufactured and marketed .
(a) Bed sheet (b)
Clothes for prayer (c) Towel (d) Silk Dress material
(e) Cotton/Silk
Dress materials (f) Tent (g) Carpet (h) Handkerchiefs (i) Other Silk / Cotton
Cloths
Offset Printing Press business can flourish by making calendars, God Photos and other reading materials related to spirituality and it can be combined with printings on dress material.
5. Building
Infrastructure for Urban Development in Sultanganj
Sultanganj can be developed into hub of commercial activities, retail shopping.
Small businesses
can flourish with provision of basic infrastructure. Investing into building of
better infrastructure, bypass / circular road and other infrastructure can
facilitate investment into tourism, agro based industries.
1. Ensuring basic
infrastructure need of the town Sultanganj is addressed. Roads, drainage,
pedestrian walk ways are created with smooth flow of traffic during annual
Shravani Fair.
2. Development of
circular road by passing the town Sultanganj can ease traffic.
3. Completion of railway link connecting to
Deoghar.
4. A river
front development at Sultanganj can enhance the beauty of this town and can
attract international tourists.
5. A Road Bridge – (1710
Crore Ganga Bridge) over Ganges connecting North-East Bihar can
be used as Transport route for Agro and Jute Products.
6. Build flyovers and
bridges as necessary
7. Construction of
ample parking places
8. Permanent and make
shift public conveniences
9. An Interstate Bus
terminus to cater to public and private transport.
10. Develop a Transit
Hub for People Moving from Sultanganj.
6. Transport Centre With Tour Packages Originating From Sultanganj
It can be the
starting point for Lord Shiva’s Devotees with multiple pilgrim tour packages
being offered at various affordability levels and serving as originating point
for these Tour Packages.
Develop Sultanganj
as Bus / Rail Transport Center connecting Bhagalpur, Munger, Khagaria,
Deoghar, Patna and West
Bengal. If possible
link this place with International locations like Nepal and Bhutan.
Here is one such idea which tour operators can think of.
Tour Packages
SOMWAR/ Monday Siva
Darshan Tour Packages – [Tour Packages]
In fact, tourism
authorities can provide a luxury bus services / luxury tour packages which can
have a tie up with BABADHAM Temple of Deoghar, Jharkhand State to have a
DARSHAN (visits) on every Monday (SOMWAR – An auspicious day to pray Lord
Shiva). The package can work like this. Devotees or Pilgrims can start on
Monday morning by taking the sacred Ganga Jal and reach Deoghar same day to
offer Ganga Jal on Monday. This bus service can even bring them back on the
same day. This way, tour operators can encourage tourists or pilgrims of Lord Siva
to visit the town throughout the year instead of only one month of the
Year.
Connectivity for Sultanganj
Sultanganj at
present is well connected by road and rail. Recently building of an international
airport at Deoghar has been announced. Starting of flight services at
Bhagalpur has been in the news. This can be good news for international
tourists planning to visit Sultanganj.
· Rail – Sultanganj
is on rail route from Kolkata to Patna and Delhi
· Road – Sultanganj
is connected with National Highway and State Highway
· Air – Very near to
Bhagalpur /Deoghar for air connectivity in future
7. Developing Commercial & Retail Hub With Hotels
Let us study a
comparison of business activities of two towns. The
following comparison chart shows the potential of commercial activities at
Sultanganj. This can trigger a race for establishing residential hotels,
shopping complexes etc among investors. This investment in this sector can be
channelized for economic development of Sultanganj.
|
|
||
|
Sr. No |
Facts / Assumptions about Deoghar |
Facts / Assumptions about Sultanganj |
|
1 |
Deoghar is town
with One of the most famous Temple of Lord Shiva. For more details refer
Wikipedia |
This ancient
temple of Lord Shiva, Sultanganj, attracts few millions of pilgrims who take
water from here on their way to pray Lord Shiva in Deoghar. |
|
2 |
Deoghar has 50
Lakhs Devotees visiting the temple in year 2012 as per Times Of India Report |
Assume only 30
Lakh Devotees come to Sultanganj as compared to 50 Lakhs or 5 million
pilgrims visiting Deoghar |
|
3 |
Deoghar does a
business of 5000 Rs per Devotee and 2500 Crore total as per TOI news report |
Assumption of
1000 Rs. Spend per tourist can be equal to 300 Crores in Sultanganj |
|
4 |
Deoghar does a
business of 5000 Rs per Devotee and 2500 Crore total as per TOI news report |
Assumption of
2000 Rs. Spend per tourist can be equal to 600 Crores in Sultanganj |
|
5 |
Deoghar has
around 1000 Hotels and Lodges as per TOI report |
No of Hotels in
Sultanganj is less than 100 compare to 1000 in Deoghar (Pl. conduct a survey
to validate this). In fact the number could be as less as 10 or 20. |
|
Click the link below for more details on Times of India.
The above report from Times Of India provides a good data on economic
activities in Deoghar |
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||
8. Agriculture Based Industries and Food Processing Industries in and around
Temple Town
Sultanganj can take a lead in attracting agro based industries and can act as link between rural and urban development.
A list of sectors
listed can come up as this area is rich in agricultural products like maize,
corn, rice etc.
Use of Heavy Machines in Farming
· 9. Agriculture &
Related Industries
· Food Processing Zone
– Vegetarian Food Processing Unit for 3 Million Tourist will be big hit.
Made in Sultanganj can be big
selling point among Devotees.
Vegetarian Snacks for Kaanwaria (Pilgrims or tourists)
Milk Processing Units
(a) Sweets (b) Ice Cream (c) Butter Milk (d) Kulfi (e) Laddoos
Cluster of Sweet/
Chocolate/Bakery/ Prasad making units
Cold Storages for
Vegetable and other products
Maize based food
processing Units
Corn based food
processing Units
Rice / Wheat
Processing Units
Drinking water Unit
10. Brick, Plywood, Jute & Other Industries in Sultanganj, Bhagalpur
Brick, Plywood & Tiles Industries
Sultanganj and
surrounding areas on bank of Ganges has many Kiln Brick industries. Encourage
existing Kiln Brick Industries and promote tiles industries for various
building construction industries need.
Investors &
entrepreneurs can take advantage of existing Kiln Brick industries and convert
this place into industrial hub catering to construction industries by producing
bricks, tiles and plywood.
Small Scale Industries for following items catering to 3 million pilgrims
(a)Kaanwar (b)
Agarbatti (c) Toys (d) Lord Shiva and Gods' Idols (Photo Frames) (e)
Deepak (f) Candle (g) Water Pot (h) Clothe / Jute Bag
11. Dolphin Aqua Park & Dolphin Watch Centre
A Quite Rope Way in and around Ganges – One of its kinds in world
· One can explore the
idea of establishing a study centre, Dolphin watch center and dolphin Swim
center, Dolphin show outside or beside the Ganges bank.
· One can explore the
idea of having one Dolphin Rope Way Watch Centre over
Ganges, which I am sure this could be one of its kinds in the world.
People can watch Dolphin from Ropeway Air Vehicle without
disturbing the natural stretch of dolphin sanctuary.
·
It can also
establish an Artificial Dolphin Aquatic Park or Bank having offers like Swim
with Dolphin and Dolphin Show features, Dolphin Circus. Refer the various links
below which can help explore these possibilities.
O http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/html/en/park-experience/unique/dolphin.html
o http://www.discoverycove.com/
To know more about Dolphin shows (Pleas click the links)
o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8AvEstX_3E
o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdCtLI5m6UQ
Disclaimer:
The views expressed
are of the personal view of author. This blog has references of various website
and other related information/news on Internet.
The pictures are
used for representation purpose only and are taken from free download sites.
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