LEVERAGING ICTS FOR BUILDING SMART CITIES

Prof (Dr.) H.S. Dua, HOD, along with three faculty members of ECE department had attended a talk on the theme, ‘LEVERAGING ICTS FOR BUILDING SMART CITIES’ on 1st Nov 14 at Delton Hall IETE, New Delhi organized by Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (IETE), on their 61st Foundation Day.

The basic objective of the talk was to elaborate the smart city concept in India and role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in data compiling from smart devices and sensors in its roadways, power grids, buildings and other assets and sharing that data via smart communications systems. The chief guest was Sh. Mangu Singh, MD, DMRC, New Delhi. The program commenced with the welcome address by Prof. (Dr.) A. K. Saini, Co-Chairman TPCC IETE, New Delhi. Smt. Smriti Dagur, President IETE introduced the topic and threw light on the concept of smart cities, which would integrate state of the art green technologies to create sustainable cities with high living standards.

The expert panel comprised of Tulika Pandey, Scientist ‘F’ Department of Electronics & IT, MCIT, GOI; Col. Mahaesh Khera, President (BIF) & Founder KTMT; Wg. Cdr T R Dua (Retd.), ED, Tower & Infrastructure Provider Association India, New Delhi and Dr. Deven Verma, Chairman & CEO HSMC (Hindustan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation).

Ms.Tulika Pandey, pinpointed the key challenges smart cities would face, including some technical challenges. She dwelt on the notion of how “growing” cities based on implementing correct urban planning is being replaced with the idea of making a city “smart”. The Internet is changing the traditional urban planning model and compelling planners to not only consider the physical planning of a city but also consider the use of Information Technology to make the economy, environment, mobility and governance of a city more efficient and effective.

Col. Mahaesh Khera, delivered a talk on Smart Homes & Smart Cities where he explained the pivotal role of ICT in making a city adapt to the contemporary needs of its citizens. He also stressed on the fact that a 100 Mbps internet backbone coupled with 100% coverage area by cell phone towers and a high level of telephone penetration will be essential in a Smart City as most services will have to be offered online Fibre Optic broadband connectivity to each home, wifi in all public places and educational institutions would be important features of a Smart City.

Wg. Cdr T R Dua (Retd.), delivered a lecture on “SMART CITIES, A paradigm shift” where he introduced the concept of smart city and mainly the role of ICT. Smart cities, he stated, envision an urban space that is ecologically friendly, technologically integrated and meticulously planned, with the use of information & communication technology to improve efficiency and create a city that is liveable, workable and sustainable.

Dr. Deven Verma, discussed the establishment of smart cities and referred to the honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious project to set up 100 smart cities. Elaborating on the smart city concept, he said it would encompass various factors such as smart governance, smart leaders, smart people and transparency. Such cities would also include the components such as education and employment, health and environment, good roads, transport, GIS (geographic information systems) planning, IT networking, recreation centres, parks, 24 x 7 drinking water and power supply, solid waste management system, sewerage and drainage systems. The key features for smart cities would be automatic traffic signal, better public transport facility, quick accident relief, smart traffic system and data centre.

Sh. Mangu Singh delivered a talk on the implementation of the automatic & smart techniques used in Delhi Metro and also demonstrated how DMRC is following Green Technology by giving an example of how mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy during the deceleration process to conserve electrical power known as energy regeneration system.

The proceedings ended with vote of thanks by Hony Secretary IETE to the dignitaries on the dias and all concerned. This lecture enlightened the audience about the concept of smart city and especially the role of ICT in setting up of such cities in tune with the prevalent standards and policies of the Government.