Transforming India, the IBM SmartCities way

NEW DELHI, INDIA: In tandem with rapid urbanization, the technology giant IBM, in its first India forum, today said that advanced analytics and digital technology based smart cities focused on public safety and transportation could transform India in a big way.

The company through its social sentiment index finding carried out a comprehensive study across three metrocities- Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. The study revealed that despite infrastructure improvements, Delhiites are experiencing stress followed by residents in Bangalore and Mumbai.

Speaking to CIOL, IBM VP and CTO, global sector Guruduth S Banavar said that they have been talking to many state governments. "We are in discussions with the governments of Karnataka, Haryana, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. The response, so far is very positive," he added.

IBM is currently working on close to 3,000 smart city projects worldwide. The technology major had earlier conducted similar forums in Berlin and Shanghai. The project envisaged to facilitate municipal bodies with digital technology tools and services.

Shanker Annawamy MD, IBM South Asia said that cities have become critical component to drive economy. "There are many challenges and opportunities to manage cities and to transform them for a sustainable growth and development.''

Over a period of few years, $1.23 trillion investment is required to transform the cities. Key areas, Annawamy said, include public safety, urban transportation and reduction in energy consumption by leveraging technology.

IBM Corporation Board chairman Samuel J Palmisano said that by 2050, city dwellers are expected to make 70 per cent of the earth's population. The road ahead, Palmisano said, includes dramatic swings in geopolitics, system failures in banking, global deficits and persistent unemployment.

Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that unprecedented growth in urban population is key to Asia's development. "The challenges can be addressed by adopting technological advancements," he said. Hooda also said that they are augmenting healthcare systems and major thrust in education sector.

''The projects such as urban transport and inter-city metro rail are based on PPP model,'' he informed. ''The state-of the art infrastructure, friendly policies, responsive administration and skilled manpower make Haryana a preferred destination for investors today,'' he added.

The technology major has also showcased and demonstrated safe city concept. It includes single interface for healthcare, public safety, weather forecast, transportation, and crime trends and alerts as well as live video feed to facilitate quick administrative decision making.

Amitabh Kant CEO of Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (DMICDC) said that urbanization has just begun which is all set to create new India. "We should leverage technology to make a quantum jump, cutting across painpoints," he said. Technology-driven governance and public services, Kant said is the key challenge in India.