Growth to come from 4Cs – Co-operation, Convergence, Capabilities, Convenience
The much talked about Smart Cities project by the Government of India is expected to add to the growth story of the Indian economy. During the inauguration session of ‘National Summit on 100 Smart Cities – India 2015’ held in New Delhi today, the speakers attending the Summit said that the convergence of various technology and service with enable the existing cities to turn smart.
While giving the key note address, Dr. Sumit D. Chowdhury, Founder & CEO, Gaia Smart Cities said: “during the first wave of smart cities, the existing cities will be made smart with the right technology. The whole process would purely depend upon four essential Cs – co-operations, convergence, capabilities and convenience.” According to him the important components for creating Smart Cities in India would require co-operation between various city departments to create common infrastructure so as to catapult from basic facilities to adoption of new technology, enabling the citizens to participate in the growth story.
With the evolution of the Smart Cities, the issue of law and order will become very crucial. “We would be depending on data analytic in securing such cities so that the Police is enabled to foresee any possible conspiracy and take preventive steps.” Going forward, the police is already in the process of adopting new-age tools.
On the question of sustainability of such Smart Cities, Mr. Reji Kumar Pillai, President & CEO of India Smart Grid Form said “despite the fact that 98 cities have been identified, there is a shortage of people to integrate such development.” According to him the biggest challenge which the Smart Cities project will face would be the tendering process, wherein the lowest bidder will walk away with the mandate, which can result in inducting the equipment in the Smart City eco-system which may become obsolescence much earlier.
Speaking on the opportunity from the legal point of view, Mr. Hemant Sahai, Managing Partner HAS Advocates said that while the opportunity is staggering, this potential can be realized only through astute planning and execution, including creation of robust legal, regulatory and contractual frameworks.“PPP will be the preferred model for attracting private capital and PPS as the best regulated through robust contracts,” said Mr. Sahai.
Making it truly global platform to conduct business, global players such as; GAIA, Fourth Dimension, Advantech, NIXI, NICE, VERINT, Schneider Electric, Shaildhar Telecom, VIAVI, QuadGen, Jakson, Anritsu, Tata Docomo are participating at the event.
