IIT study finds out smart cities’ biggest challenge

A new study by IIT-Kharagpur has revealed for challenge faced by India’s much-touted Smart City Mission, ToI reported on December 30. The Integrated Command and Control Centers (ICCCs) in 100 smart cities across India are suffering from inadequate funding, ToI’s report (by Dipak K Dash) said.

These centers manage various city services, including infrastructure, traffic, surveillance, and disaster response. The study, focusing on ICCCs’ role in disaster management, found that their financial sustainability is the biggest hurdle.

According to the IIT-Kharagpur report, “At present, the revenue generated goes to the state exchequer with no basis for sharing with ICCCs which have to install, maintain, operate and periodically upgrade infrastructure. There are huge recurring costs required for the operation and maintenance of such infrastructure. A mechanism for cost sharing is mandatory for supporting the allied functions of the ICCC.”

Researchers recommend sharing revenue generated from ICCC operations like traffic management and surveillance. They also suggest monetizing assets like fiber optic cables and mandatory mobile applications linked to the centers to generate funds. The report emphasizes the need for these apps to connect citizens with local authorities and the Smart City Mission.

The study also noted a heavy reliance on private companies to manage the centers. It recommends building in-house expertise among city staff to reduce dependence on these outside vendors. While praising the role of ICCCs in disaster management in cities like Bhubaneswar, Visakhapatnam, and Agartala, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, the study also highlighted the need to protect ICCC hardware against theft and vandalism.