Here¡¯s How You Can Help Delhi Become Smarter Than It Already Is, You Are The Future

Lutyen¡¯s zone in Delhi has made it to the first list of ¡®smart city¡¯ projects shortlisted by the government. The VIP zone, also an NDMC area, will be remodeled to accommodate additional facilities and amenities for people. This smart-city mission project includes infrastructure development like app-based cycle tracks, smart parking and bus stops, transformation of public toilets, etc. It will also enable ¡®e-management¡¯ of/for public utilities; by providing Wi-Fi access points, sensors for measuring air quality and noise pollution, geo-tagging for waste management, among other things. It will create an interactive structure to/for the citizens.

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Technically, and administratively, the term ¡®smart cities¡¯ means development of a particular region, by providing better infrastructure, more housing facilities, and faster communication within our cities.

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What excites me more are some of its common facts! The more we interlink the identified phases of development with us, the simpler it is. Imagine the activated e-resources for surveillance, traffic management, waste management, public toilets, and WIFI-access points, sensors for air quality or noise pollution.

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Needless to say, it will give us walkable space, less congestion and pollution, space for cycling, open spaces, better transport options, and many more things to come. Also, what concerns me more, while living in Delhi, is maximization of resources, better connectivity, and a choice to make.

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While it is simple to understand the long-term implications, we also feel it is the right time to follow the e-protocol to practically transform the way we live, breathe, and indulge in our city. Technology has been a part of our personal lifestyle, and then, why not makes it a part of the public life of an urban region like Delhi?

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The urban landscape of this city invites attention to the old and, now very congested, Lajpat Nagar area of South Delhi. Applying the ¡®smart city¡¯ project concept can do much to re-arrange small parts of this particular area. It is a residential colony, with a neighbourhood market, which is thronged by people from all walks of life. So, how can we achieve more by identifying smart solutions for this busy area?

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There is every means of surfing the market. It is overwhelmed by people taking to rickshaws, the cars honking, the cart-pullers serving street snack, and many people choosing to walk the busy lanes. The hyper-active market needs a soft infrastructure-shift of sorts. It can be as simple as making transport look eco-friendly.

Imagine if we gave a nice green parking space for all the rickshaw pullers-like green stations for rickshaw (symbolic of no-pollution). It will just be the right image makeover, making them more desirable in a busy area. People still choosing to walk will also not be perturbed by the continuous babbling of the rick pullers.

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The car drivers can also make an avoidable cut through the traffic. Drivers can be provided with an app-based service to personally monitor their decision to visit the area (in and around)-at one time.

An app-which gives them data on the percentage of cars in the service lanes, traffic surrounding the area, and also, a tip of parking space available in the market; will make movement of traffic more manageable. Also, e-challans will make the citizens more disciplined in a high-traffic area.

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Dwarka and its neighborhood markets is another such example. Many people reside in this sub-city. It is usually over-crowded (including overflowing area-markets), as people always choose to step out in the comforts of their cars. Now, it not difficult to imagine for us, as it is a common sight. So, how can we make it more livable for the residents?

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How about using an e-surveillance for parking cars in the local market? It will not take a great deal effort to monitor the parking situation in the area, if it is technology enabled. However, it will make a big deal to ease the congestion in the market. A text alert to residents that the parking space is now completely occupied might just tempt the citizens to take a walk. Also, if the whole area is under surveillance people will feel less frightened to walk alone during the wee hours. So, one small solution just seems to be having a domino effect.

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One common factor for both these residential areas can be the use of air quality and noise pollution sensors. The quality of life of a resident can improve dramatically, if we deploy this technology.

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Before the mall concept took centre stage in Delhi, there were independent markets which were the centre of attraction. Markets like Vasant Vihar, Saket, Defence colony, Chanakaya cinema hall area (strictly for movie-buffs and street-styled eating joints) were popular among the students, youth, and adults alike. Not that the areas are not frequented now, yet that glory has somehow been lost. These were extravagant destinations of yesteryears in Delhi, and still are. You may feel the same bout of nostalgia if you take a walk through.

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What can we do to again divert the consumer traffic to these areas? One prime attraction for the youth can be having a free Wi-Fi space. Perhaps, which help them click instant pics and facebook/ instagram the visitors to the undefined nostalgia of Delhi markets. There can be an open-space, styled, for different purpose. A garden for kids to play while parents can monitor their children¡¯s activity on the tab, a Wi-Fi maximization area for people to work using fast connections, a smart-point to access quick transport amid security, bin-stops at small distances to organize waste, and perhaps, one blue-karaoke space for just refreshments.

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We have just taken few quick examples to understand how a smart concept can make a smarter Delhi. It may sound simple but at the administrative level it can be a mammoth task.

However, our idea is to share to keep it as basic as possible, to help us and our next generation be able to see the best of Delhi. Most of us continue to visit these places, with no expectation at all. While that is a sign of positive tales to tell; why not just achieve a little more to make more impressions.

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