8 Reasons Why India Needs to Build Smart Cities!

Introduction

Is there actually a need for Smart Cities in India? Can the existing cities accommodate the fast-growing population? Can lifestyle improve with smart infrastructure? Can access to education and medical emergencies for every Indian become a reality?

Having said that, what is it in a smart city that everyone is looking forward to? Why has it raised the hopes of the entire country, creating a positive wave among common people? What differentiates these cities from the existing ones? Is it the changes in infrastructure or the facilities like continuous power and water supply, easy healthcare, clean air, sanitation, security, and entertainment? Or is it about the employment it is expected to generate, uplifting the economy as a whole?

Let us evaluate what makes a smart city and the eight elements that would differentiate it from the rest as per the latest concept note.

1. Smarter Construction

• India is expected to create 110 million homes by 2022 with an estimated project cost of $2.3 trillion.

• This would place India in third position worldwide in terms of construction, with an annual addition of over 11 million homes.

• Smart city construction aims to conserve environmental resources such as electricity and water through:

  • Solar panels on rooftops.

  • Maximum usage of renewable energy.

• Expected benefits:

  • 30% conservation of water.

  • 40% reduction in energy usage.

  • 10-30% decrease in maintenance costs for residents.

2. Energy Efficiency

• The 12th Five-Year Plan aims at adding 88,000 MW of power by investing $26 million.

• Objective: Provide at least 8 hours of electricity to all households by 2017.

• Key initiatives:

  • Reduction of electricity bills through low-cost smart meters.

  • Installation of 130 million smart meters by 2021.

  • Implementation of 8 smart grid projects.

3. Environment Friendly

• Proper sanitation is a basic right for every citizen.

• Government of India & World Bank allocated $500 million towards the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) project.

• Focus areas: Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh.

• Objectives:

  • 100% household access to toilets.

  • Complete waste water network connections.

  • Mandatory solid waste collection & recycling.

4. Effective Transportation

• All citizens must have access to transport within 800 meters.

• Commute time should not exceed:

  • 30 minutes in small and mid-size cities.

  • 45 minutes in metro cities.

• Green transportation goals:

  • 6 million electric & hybrid vehicles on roads by 2020.

  • Charging stations at all highways by 2027.

• Increased investment in high-speed rails, monorails, and metro projects.

5. Easy Healthcare

• Medical facilities should be easily accessible to all citizens.

• Healthcare infrastructure targets:

  • 200 specialty hospitals per 100,000 people.

  • 1 diagnostic center per 50,000 people.

  • 1 dispensary per 15,000 people.

• Government has increased the healthcare budget by 27%.

• Plans include:

  • 12 new government medical colleges.

  • 4 new AIIMS-like institutes.

  • Better and advanced medical equipment.

6. Quality Education

• Government allocated $81.38 million for 5 new IITs & IIMs.

• Education budget increased by 12.3%.

• Minimum educational institutions per population:

  • 1 school per 100,000 people.

  • 1 college per 125,000 people.

  • 1 technical, engineering, and medical college per million people.

• Special provisions for physically and mentally challenged students.

7. Strengthening IT & Communications

• Technology is replacing manpower in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Hyderabad.

• $333 million allocated for IT development.

• Broadband users to increase to 175 million by 2017.

• Efficient disaster management:

  • $236 million allocated to disaster risk reduction.

8. Structural Planning

• 95% of the population should have easy access to workplaces through public transport, bicycles, or walking.

• Citizens should have:

  • Shops, parks, and primary schools within 400 meters.

  • At least 20% of residences for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) in Transit-Oriented Development zones.

Conclusion

The Government’s 100 Smart City Plan appears to be the solution to many of India’s challenges. However, it remains uncertain whether Mr. Modi’s dream of 100 smart cities will be successfully implemented. If it does, there shall be no turning back for India!