Smart Cities

Finally!

India is finally set to give shape to its futuristic smart cities — world-class, self-sustainable habitats with minimal pollution levels, maximum recycling, optimised energy supplies and efficient public transportation.  The pilot projects to develop these ‘smart communities’ is underway and is expected to be completed over the next 18 months. Japanese corporations such as Hitachi, Mitsubishi, JGC Corp and Toshiba, among others, will design and build these eco-friendly towns along the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC).  The DFC between Delhi and Mumbai will pass through six states — Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra.  “This is the first time after Chandigarh that a serious effort is being made to build modern cities,” said Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma.  The eco-friendly cities would provide world-class facilities with 24-hour power supply and drinking water, mass rapid urban transportation, with bicycle and walking tracks, complete waste and water recycling, systems for smart grids — digitally managed systems to control energy consumption — and smart metering.