Delhi and six other cantonments have been identified for introducing “smart solutions” and upgrading civic amenities, the government has informed Lok Sabha.

The other cantonments identified for the project include Ambala, Deolali, Ferozepur, Meerut, Pune and Secunderabad, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre said,

Under this project online services will be introduced besides monitoring various amenities and facilities through the use of information technology.

The aim of the smart city programme is to promote  mixed land use in area based developments–planning for ‘unplanned areas’ containing a range of compatible activities and land uses close to one another in order to make land use more efficient.

The scheme aims to create   walkable localities –reduce congestion, air pollution and resource depletion, boost local economy, promote interactions and ensure security. The road network is created or refurbished not only for vehicles and public transport, but also for pedestrians and cyclists.

It also envisages preservation and development of    open spaces – parks, playgrounds, and recreational spaces in order to enhance the quality of life. It will also help promote    a variety of transport options – Transit Oriented Development (TOD), public transport and last mile para-transport connectivity;

Under making governance citizen-friendly and cost effective, the smart city plan will increasingly rely on online services to bring about accountability and transparency, especially using mobiles to reduce cost of services and providing services without having to go to municipal offices.