Smart Cities: Is it a Real Solution to Urban Problems?

Lets understand 1st what SMART CITY is.

There is no universally accepted definition of a smart city. It means different things to different
people. The conceptualization of Smart City, therefore, varies from city to city and country to
country, depending on the level of development, willingness to change and reform, resources and
aspirations of the city residents. A smart city would have a different connotation in India than,
say, Europe. Even in India, there is no one way of defining a smart city.
In the approach of the Smart Cities Mission, the objective is to promote cities that provide core
infrastructure and give a decent quality of life to its citizens, a clean and sustainable environment
and application of Smart Solutions. The focus is on sustainable and inclusive development and
the idea is to look at compact areas, create a replicable model which will act like a light house to
other aspiring cities.
The core infrastructure elements in a smart city would include:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
x.

Adequate water supply,

Assured electricity supply,
Sanitation, including solid waste management,
Efficient urban mobility and public transport,
Affordable housing, especially for the poor
Robust IT connectivity and digitalization
Good governance, especially e-Governance and citizen participation,
Sustainable environment,
Safety and security of citizens, particularly women, children and the elderly, and
Health and education.

Everything looks good on paper. But is it really practically possible?

I belong to Bhubaneswar (BBSR) and I came to know that BBSR won the smart city challenge
(came 1st). It feels good as a residence of BBSR.
But question raises here that, Does BBSR has the capability to become a smart city?
There are so many factors such as
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.

Migration is the main issue in the capital. People are migrating from rural area to the
capital for the job. Does BBSR has capability to handle this?
Slum areas are in the middle of the city. There is no proper planning to settle them
properly.
Bangladeshis are given Adhhar cards for vote bank.
No security to women. Chain snatching, misbehaving etc. are happening. City is not
under surveillance.
No proper public transport. Like other states, Odisha Govt. does not have sufficient
public services (Pvt. Players are rulers)

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So

The problems might vary from city to city.

But Question is Can India Afford to go for SMART cities????????

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