Of a staggering 1.3 billion people of India, 32% reside in the urban areas. In the coming 15 years, this ratio will most likely increase to 40% (or 600 million) . The contribution of the urban sector to the GDP is also projected to increase up to 75% by 2030. In order to maximize the potential of this sector, the Government of India has come out with a number of policies and programmes.
One of the strategies adopted is the creation of 'Smart Cities'.
The goal is to administer a steady city growth and uplift the standard of living. The concept of a smart city is basically a vision to -
-aggregate all kinds of information and communication systems,
-efficiently manage city's resources; and
-enhance amenities like power supply, water supply, waste management, law enforcement, etc.
The government has identified a total of 98 cities from all states and union territories. These have fulfilled the criteria for being deemed as potential cities which can be converted to smart cities.
Of these 98 cities, 20 shall undergo the process in the FY 2016-17 and the rest will be divided in groups of 38-40 for each of FY 2017-18 and FY 2018-19.
The 98 cities were shortlisted on the basis of the points gained after two stages of evaluation on the following parameters :
1. Existing Level of Services
2. Institutional Systems and Capacities
3. Self-financing
4. Past track record
5. Impact of proposal
6. Cost-effectiveness of Smart City Plan
7. Innovation
SALIENT 'SMART CITY' FEATURES:
1. Expansion of housing opportunities
2. Improving transport network- increasing public transport facilities, reducing congestion and air pollution
3. Digitization of administration through e-governance
4. 'Smart' solutions for infrastructure- making buildings less prone to disasters, increasing cost-effectiveness
5. Giving an identity to the city based on its prime economic activity (textile, tourism, food, handicraft, dairy,etc.)
The Cabinet has approved a sum 480 million rupees for development of the Smart Cities and a separate 500 million for rejuvenation of 500 others in the ' Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation' (AMRUT). In the first phase, each of the 20 shortlisted cities will be allotted 2 billion each . The remaining expenses will have to be borne by the respective state governments and the allied corporate entities.
The 'Smart City Mission' is indeed a progressive step in the efficacious utilization of the ever increasing urban populayse. The success, though, lies in resourceful implementation and not mere quixotic declarations. Some of the services to be incorporated in a smart city should also include-
1.Corruption-check bureaus
2. An administrative body dedicated only to education
3. A mechanism to check the real turnout of servicemen employed by Municipal Bodies.
4. An online portal for citizen forums, where citizens can regularly inform the local bodies of any changes required or register complaints.
One of the strategies adopted is the creation of 'Smart Cities'.
The goal is to administer a steady city growth and uplift the standard of living. The concept of a smart city is basically a vision to -
-aggregate all kinds of information and communication systems,
-efficiently manage city's resources; and
-enhance amenities like power supply, water supply, waste management, law enforcement, etc.
The government has identified a total of 98 cities from all states and union territories. These have fulfilled the criteria for being deemed as potential cities which can be converted to smart cities.
Of these 98 cities, 20 shall undergo the process in the FY 2016-17 and the rest will be divided in groups of 38-40 for each of FY 2017-18 and FY 2018-19.
The 98 cities were shortlisted on the basis of the points gained after two stages of evaluation on the following parameters :
1. Existing Level of Services
2. Institutional Systems and Capacities
3. Self-financing
4. Past track record
5. Impact of proposal
6. Cost-effectiveness of Smart City Plan
7. Innovation
SALIENT 'SMART CITY' FEATURES:
1. Expansion of housing opportunities
2. Improving transport network- increasing public transport facilities, reducing congestion and air pollution
3. Digitization of administration through e-governance
4. 'Smart' solutions for infrastructure- making buildings less prone to disasters, increasing cost-effectiveness
5. Giving an identity to the city based on its prime economic activity (textile, tourism, food, handicraft, dairy,etc.)
The Cabinet has approved a sum 480 million rupees for development of the Smart Cities and a separate 500 million for rejuvenation of 500 others in the ' Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation' (AMRUT). In the first phase, each of the 20 shortlisted cities will be allotted 2 billion each . The remaining expenses will have to be borne by the respective state governments and the allied corporate entities.
The 'Smart City Mission' is indeed a progressive step in the efficacious utilization of the ever increasing urban populayse. The success, though, lies in resourceful implementation and not mere quixotic declarations. Some of the services to be incorporated in a smart city should also include-
1.Corruption-check bureaus
2. An administrative body dedicated only to education
3. A mechanism to check the real turnout of servicemen employed by Municipal Bodies.
4. An online portal for citizen forums, where citizens can regularly inform the local bodies of any changes required or register complaints.
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