INNOVATIVE CITIES SUMMIT 2017

The Smart Cities concept will bring dramatic changes to improve the quality of life by various measures like adequate water and electricity supply, waste management system, intelligent traffic system, public transport, e-governance, full IT connectivity and digitization, better safety and security, good education and health services and affordable housing for all.

The concept of a smart city is a relatively new one. Cities in the developed world are formulating technology master plans and then using these plans to develop a citywide command and control network that monitors and optimizes the delivery of services like power, water, traffic and healthcare. The basic premise of a smart city is making infrastructure network and delivery of services more efficient – across telecommunication, logistics, water and gas supply

Smart city is not only about developing the urban regions but also concentrating on rural, the smart-city vision to become a reality, India needs smart villages first. According to research it has been shown that there is divergence from rural to urban population growth. Urbanisation is taking place at a faster rate in India. Population residing in urban areas in India, according to 1901 census, was 11.4%. This count increased to 28.53% according to 2001 census, and crossing 30% as per 2011 census, standing at 31.16%.

This rate is increasing every year as people are seeking an improved quality of life, good education, healthcare, electricity, Internet, entertainment options, etc. As this migration poses several challenges, there is need to create smart villages

Thus this vision aims to spur social, economic and infrastructure development in rural areas by developing a cluster of 300 Smart Villages over the next 3 years across the country in the first phase. More clusters will be identified depending upon the progress of the scheme. This mission is to be implemented by Ministry of Rural Development, and the estimated mission budget will be around Rs. 5,142 crores for the period 2015-16 to 2019-20