Chandigarh is considered to one of the most modernized and developed cities in the North India. Therefore, it fits rightly into the category of becoming the next “Smart City” under the “Smart City Initiative” by the Indian Government. Under the Smart City plan, the Government of India aims to upgrade the lifestyle and the infrastructure of around 109 cities across India. The central idea is to make use of technology and the advanced modes of lifestyle to optimize the living conditions in the selected cities under this program.
Chandigarh too has been selected as one of the prime cities under this project. To achieve the same within the given deadline, the local authorities of Chandigarh along with the Punjab Government has proposed several developments in varied sectors. Some of these include:
- Healthcare:
- Chandigarh is considered to be the cradle of the optimum health services in north India. However, there is a lack of proper infrastructure and manpower in the sector. Under the smart city plan, the city aims to strengthen the healthcare center.
- The Union Territory administration of Chandigarh is aiming to provide a standard operating procedure for both back-referral and referral of the patients.
- There will be the provision of patient-doctor telemedicine facility that will promote the minor consultations over the phone. This will reduce the over-congestion of the hospital premises.
- Education:
- The Union Territory administration of Chandigarh aims to bring about expansion in the field of education by setting up more informative and affordable educational institutes like colleges, schools and training institutes.
- The Punjab Government aims to gather more funds for the construction projects of the educational institutes in the Union territory.
- The city aims for the strengthening and development of the Government College of Arts and Chandigarh Architecture College with rapid faculty appointment and improvement in the overall infrastructure.
- There is a provision of the online fee submission and admissions.
- More smart classrooms with the use of the Internet technology would be made use of the in the school as well as in the university classrooms.
- Solid Waste Management:
- The Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh will strive for the installation of GPRS for the tracking of garbage-lifting vehicles.
- The Municipal Corporation is also keen on the development of as many as 3 biogas plants that will receive the segregated waste from the domestic usage as well as the biodegradable wastes from various areas.
- 100% achievement of the door-to-door collection of segregated waste materials throughout the city premises.
- Traffic Regulation:
- There is provision for the working of the traffic lights on the density of vehicles plying on the road.
- The control room would issue alerts to the motorists to take diversions in a case of any emergency.
- There would be video surveillance and monitoring systems for effective traffic management.
- There would be the launch of the mobile-based application known as the “Chandigarh Bus Guide” to inform the commuters about the possible bus routes and their schedules.
With advanced provisions in the Smart City plan, Chandigarh aims to stand at the top of this initiative by the Government of India.