The India chapter of the US-based Smart Cities Council will release the “India Readiness Guide” on February 10, to help urban planners understand the framework of a smart city and take steps to improve infrastructure.
Describing the guide as a conceptual roadmap to address growth strategies by focusing on policies that unite key areas, such as energy, transportation, water and public safety, Pratap Padode, Founder and Director, Smart Cities Council, said, “The Guide would be the first collaborative and comprehensive framework for a smart city, which cities in India can assess their readiness to innovate.”
Foundation of Infrastructure Research Studies Training president Pratap Padode launched the India chapter of the Council last year following an agreement with the its parent body in the USA.
Speaking at an event in Mumbai on April 14, Padode, said, “India is likely to spend US $50 billion on smart cities in the next five years,” and emphasised on the need for a proper blueprint for development.
“Of this a sum of US $35 million has already been provided for 100 smart cities for making city development plans. Further, in 2016-17, US $600 million will be spent directly by the cities by issuing request for proposals,” he added.
The India Readiness Guide, to be released at the 3rd Smart Cities Summit on February 10, 2016, will be given to the Municipal Commissioners and Mayors of the 97 cities competing for the smart cities challenge and 500 AMRUT cities.
