Smart City projects in India

The smart city notion has garnered substantial global attention and owes immense potential to ameliorate urban living conditions, augment efficacy, and foster sustainability.

India is one of the global hubs in the movement, with several programs designed for connectivity and the Internet of Things (IoT) to make cities smarter and more habitable.

In 2015, the Government of India launched the “Smart City Mission” as one of the most prominent instances of India’s dedication to smart city development. State-of-the-art technology enabled smooth communication and effective resource management and enhanced the quality of the citizens’ lives, intending to establish a nationwide network of smart cities.

The goal is not without several key initiatives to be established by the government, including the creation of a national platform for smart city projects, the establishment of a centralized data repository, and the provision of financial support for smart city projects.

The various state governments are also launching their smart city initiatives, demonstrating strong interest and enthusiasm among policymakers and stakeholders.

In 2016, the “Pune Smart City” project was introduced as one of the most prosperous smart city initiatives in India. Pune has been considered one of the fastest-growing cities in India, and the government is adopting a comprehensive smart city strategy, integrating big data analytics, cloud computing, IoT, and other technologies to solve issues due to the fast urbanization of the area.

The key features of the Pune Smart City project are:

1. Smart Transportation System: The system was introduced in the city with real-time traffic monitoring, route planning, and public transportation management. It supports reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality, and increasing the overall efficiency of transportation services.
2. Energy Management System: The system is developed to monitor and manage energy consumption in buildings, streets, and other infrastructure. The system also supports reducing energy waste, optimizing energy usage, and promoting sustainable energy practices.
3. 3. Waste Management System: The system has IoT sensors for monitoring and managing waste collection and disposal. Waste generation is also reduced by the system, leading to improved sanitation and promoting sustainable waste management practices.
4. Water Management System: IoT sensors are used for monitoring the system dealing with water management and managing the water distribution and supply. The system also supports reducing water leakage, improving water quality, and promoting sustainable water management practices.
5. Healthcare Services: The focus is also on the development of smart hospitals and clinics with IoT devices, as well as monitoring patient health and providing personalized care.

The next example is the Hyderabad Smart City project in India. The program was launched in 2017. It is one of the rapidly growing cities in India, with a population of over 3.5 million people.

The key features of the Hyderabad Smart City project are:

1. Smart Traffic Management System: The city has IoT sensors for monitoring and managing traffic flow. Traffic congestion is also reduced by the system by improving air quality and increasing the overall efficiency of transportation services.
2. Energy Management System: The city also monitors and manages the energy consumption in buildings, streets, and other infrastructure. Energy waste is also reduced by optimizing energy usage and promoting sustainable energy practices.
3. Waste Management System: IoT sensors are used for monitoring and managing waste collection and disposal. The system is also reducing waste generation, improving sanitation, and promoting sustainable waste management practices.
4. Water Management System: IoT sensors are used for monitoring and managing water distribution and supply. The system also supports water leakage, improving water quality, and promoting sustainable water management practices.
5. Public Safety Services: The city is equipped with smart police stations and crime prevention systems with the support of IoT devices for monitoring and responding to emergencies.

The Hyderabad Smart City project also focused on hosting several hackathons and startup competitions with several opportunities for young entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions for smart city challenges.

The narration, the features, and the objectives show the commitment to smart city development in India with a strong interest in transforming the cities into livable and sustainable spaces.

Sources: Smart city mission, Smart city gov, Pune smart city project, Hyderabad smart city project