Thursday’s launch of  Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) for Itanagar and Pasighat Smart Cities through remote control from New Delhi by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was historic and  a significant step forward in achieving the goal of a better, or more appropriately smarter Arunachal Pradesh.
As per the last national census carried out in 2011, cities accommodate nearly 31% of India’s current population and contribute 63% of GDP and urban areas are expected to house 40% of India’s population and contribute 75% of India’s GDP by 2030. To keep in tune with the rising requirements, there is an urgent requirement of a comprehensive development of physical, institutional, social and economic infrastructures. These factors individually are of equal importance in improving the quality of life, attracting people and investment and setting in motion an impeccable cycle of growth and development.
‘100 Smart Cities Mission’  launched by Modi  in  June 2016 marked the beginning of what we now know as smart cities, the words which have almost started to be part of our colloquial vocabulary.  A total of Rs 98,000 crore has been approved by the cabinet for the development of 100 smart cities and the rejuvenation of 500 others. Rs 48,000 crore for the Smart Cities Mission and a total funding of Rs 50,000 crore for the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) have also been approved.
Although there is no universally accepted definition of  the term  ‘smart city’ and its meaning  varies  differently  in context of countries  they  are found, the core infrastructure elements in any  smart city generally incorporate  the aspects of  adequate water supply,  assured electricity & sanitation, efficient urban mobility & public transport,  affordable housing especially for poor, robust IT connectivity,  good governance, especially e-governance with citizens participation, sustainable environment and safety, security, health &  education of citizens. 
Smart cities have become a craze all over the globe given the fact the focus  is on the most pressing needs and  the opportunities  created to improve lives. They tap a range of approaches - digital and information technologies, best practices  of urban planning, encouraging  public-private partnerships and altering the conventional policies  to make a difference. Most importantly, the idea ‘people first’ is in the foreground in spite of all the technological aspects involved. 
These smart cities, intrinsically through a host of facilities they provide, will improve the indicators of  ease-of-doing-business thereby making the climate more conducive for investments, which Arunachal is seeking for a long time. Apart from tourism which is a natural choice, education, real estate and IT could very well be the sunrise sectors.
But given  the fact that  it  is  the largest of the seven sisters in terms of geographical area, more inclusions in the list will always be welcomed.

---

Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

<< Back to News List