Pioneering Urban Development: IIT Bhilai's Smart City Report

A landmark study led by researchers from IIT Bhilai, in collaboration with NERIST, has provided a critical assessment of India's 100 Smart Cities mission, with a special focus on Guwahati, Assam.This comprehensive evaluation, part of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs’ SAAR Sameeksha project, delves into the impact of smart infrastructure on urban mobility and quality of life.

The findings offer invaluable insights into the successes and challenges of creating the sustainable, efficient cities of the future.

The Assessment Team and Scope

The research was spearheaded by a distinguished team from IIT Bhilai, led by Prof. Jose Immanuel of our own AMDCG and Prof. Anindita Ghosh. To capture a diverse, nationwide perspective, the team conducted intensive on-ground assessments in five representative cities: Aurangabad, Jammu, Raipur, Itanagar, and of course, Guwahati.

Key Focus Areas

The evaluation centered on the core components of urban mobility and governance. The primary areas of investigation included:

Public Transport Infrastructure (PTI)
Operations of the Integrated Command and Control Center (ICCC)
Overall traffic management systems and their real-world impact

Methodology and Findings

The team employed a robust, two-pronged approach to data collection to ensure a holistic and accurate analysis:

Secondary Data Collection: Comprehensive data concerning Public Transport Infrastructure (PTI) projects was gathered from all 100 Smart Cities across the nation.
Primary Field Assessments: The team conducted detailed field visits to the five selected cities, inspecting key project sites and engaging directly with city officials, residents, and daily commuters.

The resulting report not only highlights the key challenges faced during implementation but also identifies a series of best practices that can serve as a blueprint for future urban development projects nationwide. The integration of smart city components has shown a tangible positive impact on urban mobility, accessibility, and the overall quality of life for citizens.