India’s 3rd Apex Smart City Conference is scheduled to happen on 24 and 25 January in Andhra Pradesh.
According to a press release, the progress in the implementation of projects under the Smart Cities Mission has seen tremendous growth. The value of tendered smart city projects is over IN 162,000 crores (about US$ 22.8 billion), the value of work orders issued is around IN 120,000 crores (about US$ 1.7 billion), and the value of all completed projects is more than IN 25,000 crores (about US$ 352 million).
The Smart Cities Mission, which was launched in 2016, aims to transform 100 cities into smart cities by 2020.
Since the first Apex Conference, there has been a growth of 224% in the number of projects tendered, a growth of 300% in the projects grounded, and 421% growth in the number of projects completed, the Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs claimed.
The implementation of the mission is only possible through coordination between municipal administrations, state governments, principal secretaries, and CEOs of smart cities, the release stated. Representatives of multilateral institutions and other key stakeholders have been invited to attend the event.
Also, during the conference, smart city awards will be distributed for seven urban themes, innovative ideas, round-wise recognition of cities, and the best overall city.
The Outcomes of Climate Smart Cities Assessment Framework and the Data Maturity Assessment Framework will also be presented to the participants. Presentations on the Ease of Living and Municipal Performance Index will also be made.
States and cities will present key ideas for the better implementation of the mission going forward. The award-winning cities will share their knowledge, best practices, HR management plans, and the details of their citizen-engagement and communication strategies.
On 25 January 2020, site visits will be carried out by CEOs of a few smart cities to the projects of the Vishakhapatnam smart city and in the wrap-session, presentations will be made by CEOs of select smart cities, the release said.
The impact of the Smart Cities Mission:
- Development initiatives under the Mission have catalysed business in several sectors such as ICT solutions, mobility, water and waste management, and energy.
- 100 integrated command and control centres will augment public safety with 50,000 cameras, of which more than 12,000 linked with 45 ICCCs are already operational.
- More than 32,000 Kilometres of fibre optic cable has been laid to improve the delivery of services to citizens.
- 19,000 Kilowatts of solar and 15,000 Kilowatts of wind energy generation capacity has already been installed, which has resulted in lesser GHG emissions and dependence on fossil fuel.
- Waste processing plants with a capacity of nearly 650 TPD has been completed under the Mission.
- More than 700 smart classrooms across several smart cities have been implemented to provide better education to students.
- 84, 000 metres of smart streets have been completed for improved safety through better walking and crossing facilities for pedestrians.
- More than 100 open-air gyms have been installed in various cities across the country to improve the health and fitness of citizens.
