With the news of 100 cities to turn smart by our Digital Prime Minister, everyone is going gaga about the concept of Smart Cities.
So, what is a Smart City?
1. Use of technology to monitor the use of electricity, gas, harvesting, oil, transport, water etc
2. By employing ICT (Information and Communication Technology)
Mr. Ravikant Malhan, Director-Smart Cities and Special projects - Schneider Electric India, says, "The development of smart cities will bring with them innovative solutions like smart and efficient energy, traffic control and home automation, the likes of which currently do not exist in Indian cities. The government's decision to allot Rs 48000 crores for the smart cities projects will give a much needed thrust to the urban development program of India and will help will shape the nation's growth story and harness faster economic development."
So, what is a Smart City?
1. Use of technology to monitor the use of electricity, gas, harvesting, oil, transport, water etc
2. By employing ICT (Information and Communication Technology)
Mr. Ravikant Malhan, Director-Smart Cities and Special projects - Schneider Electric India, says, "The development of smart cities will bring with them innovative solutions like smart and efficient energy, traffic control and home automation, the likes of which currently do not exist in Indian cities. The government's decision to allot Rs 48000 crores for the smart cities projects will give a much needed thrust to the urban development program of India and will help will shape the nation's growth story and harness faster economic development."
How will Smart Cities benefit you?
1. Smart Cities will utilise analytics to give efficient solutions which would result in energy saving cost up to 30%
2. This will build sustainable and liveable cities
Rakesh Kaul, Partner, Government and Public Sector, PwC India, says, "This program when synergized with other key programs like Make in India, Skill India and Digital India will provide a unique platform for Young India to achieve rapid, equitable and sustainable growth. The move to focus on encouraging innovation in urban design through a "City Challenge" is a smart way to begin the Smart City Journey."
Are all foreign cities 'Smart'?
The answer is no. Some are, and some are in process. Some foreign cities like Singapore and Rio de Janeiro utilise ICT to run each and every operation. Rio de Janerio has 11 different control centres which manage the critical infrastructure comprising of electricity, gas, oil, transport, water etc. It has a CCTV surveillance to improve safety of the community and a traffic management system, likewise. It also has a SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system to enhance the water distribution system.
Which is the smartest city in India as of now?
Lavasa, near Pune can be termed as a Smart City or the one which is closest to the concept of a Smart City. Metros New Delhi and Mumbai are also in a process of upgrading to smart cities.
Rishabh Jagotta, PR Professional, feels the need of the concept of Smart Cities at an alarming rate now. With the Digital Prime Minister and so much Modi-fication already around, India should soon turn into a smart nation. And with the news of 100 cities turning smart, the vision is soon to become a reality!
1. Smart Cities will utilise analytics to give efficient solutions which would result in energy saving cost up to 30%
2. This will build sustainable and liveable cities
Rakesh Kaul, Partner, Government and Public Sector, PwC India, says, "This program when synergized with other key programs like Make in India, Skill India and Digital India will provide a unique platform for Young India to achieve rapid, equitable and sustainable growth. The move to focus on encouraging innovation in urban design through a "City Challenge" is a smart way to begin the Smart City Journey."
Are all foreign cities 'Smart'?
The answer is no. Some are, and some are in process. Some foreign cities like Singapore and Rio de Janeiro utilise ICT to run each and every operation. Rio de Janerio has 11 different control centres which manage the critical infrastructure comprising of electricity, gas, oil, transport, water etc. It has a CCTV surveillance to improve safety of the community and a traffic management system, likewise. It also has a SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system to enhance the water distribution system.
Which is the smartest city in India as of now?
Lavasa, near Pune can be termed as a Smart City or the one which is closest to the concept of a Smart City. Metros New Delhi and Mumbai are also in a process of upgrading to smart cities.
Rishabh Jagotta, PR Professional, feels the need of the concept of Smart Cities at an alarming rate now. With the Digital Prime Minister and so much Modi-fication already around, India should soon turn into a smart nation. And with the news of 100 cities turning smart, the vision is soon to become a reality!
Which is the least smart city in India as of now?
It is harsh to say but, Bengaluru could be said as the most 'un-smart' or the least Smart City because of the inverse proportion of its development to infrastructure. In the past decade, the rapid growth of the city has not been matched by the resources or infrastructure per say.
Talking from the point of view of real estate developers, Mr. Pradeep Jain, Chairman, Parsvnath Developers, "Clearance of 100 Smart City Projects by union cabinet is a landmark decision in the development of roadmap of India. This is a futuristic approach to achieve the target of 'Housing for All by 2022'. We can include the aspects like Happiness Index, sustainability, localization, harmony as larger goals of our Smart City. The planning of Smart City should work towards reducing the Urban and Rural divide, it should have inclusive approach for all classes of people."
The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) has replaced the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) with an investment of Rs 48,000 crores. According to the cabinet meeting, each state shall receive at-least one smart city.
ADITI KHARE NEW DELHI