Microsoft CityNext initiative set to launch First smart IT city in India

First smart IT city in India is being constituted by the Microsoft CityNext Initiative in Surat, Gujarat.  Microsoft CityNext ecosystem with TCS and Wipro as partners is set to work on 40 areas in eight domains — energy & water, infrastructure, planning & buildings, Transportation, Public safety & justice, Tourism, recreation & culture, Education, Health and Social services & government administration. Using combination of cloud technology, mobile application, data analytics and social networks, real-time data of civic services will be provided under the Smart IT City initiative. Systems will help to tackle natural disasters more effectively with the use of information technology. “For example, if someone wants to know location of nearer doctor in his/ her area, he/she will be able to get it easily using the apps developed by Microsoft.” said C. Y. Bhatt, Deputy Commissioner, Surat Municipal Corporation.

 

Microsoft Corporation will also help Surat Municipal Corporation to develop a virtual world at Science Centre of the city which will have a virtual wall. ”This will be a component of the project under development of the Surat as the first smart city of the country,” said Manoj Das, municipal commissioner.

 

Civic body is planning to enhance all current systems where Information Technology is integrated. Information systems including GIS will also be developed which will give accurate data on everything about Surat city according to Das. Team Microsoft visited existing SMC facility of e governance in all the departments to make this facility more user-friendly under Smart City project. Town planning department work will also be made simpler in the Smart City project. At present, developers have to visit TP department frequently to get their plans sanctioned. With new app being developed, architects will be able to submit the plan online and will also be able to track the progress. It will save lot of time, money and energy on both sides. The project is likely to start by end of May, 2014.

 

Posted on Monday, April 7, 2014