Smart Cities Council opens India Chapter on December 12, 2013. Smart Cities Council, an industry coalition to advance smart city development and innovation are opening a new regional chapter in India today.
India is the first regional chapter of the Global Smart Cities Council. The Council’s membership of leading businesses in areas such as smart energy, water and transportation demonstrates that collaboration can create real solutions for the growing urban challenges of today.
On the occasion of launch of Smart Cities Council – India, the former union urban development secretary M. Ramachanran has said that “the Geographical Information System (GIS) application has not been utilized properly and the public response has been poor and emphasis must be given for e-governance and GIS application”.
He also said “there is a need to emulate best practices from other smart cities. Transport, communication, water and power supply must be improved“.
Principal Secretary of urban development department Srinivasachari said Bengaluru has witnessed ‘unchecked and unregulated’ urbanization.
“India is driven by village force. With the infrastructure taking a back seat we are struggling with basic needs. Bengaluru and Mysore were once a bundle of villages. They have been evolved as a city over the years. It is easy to build a new house; but difficult to renovate an existing one,” he said.
According to a recent study, the city requires an investment of whopping Rs 80,000 crore over the next five years, but is capable of generating Rs 30,000 crore, including the borrowings.
The government has sought a financial assistance of Rs 1,800 crore for the development of Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) from Japan Infrastructure Cooperation Agency (JICA). It is a big stride towards intelligent transport system, he added.
Source: Deccan Chronicle
