Govt to consult IUT for 'self-sustainable' smart city model

The central government is seeking a "self-sustainable" framework for establishing 100 smart cities in the country and the Urban Development Ministry today said it will consult organisations like the Institute of Urban Transport (IUT) in this regard.
"The main onus of setting up smart cities lies with the states and urban local bodies. The Centre just provides the framework. We need the civic and urban bodies to firm up and meet the challenges. And, therefore we need a self-sustainable model," Urban Development Secretary Shankar Aggarwal said.
He was speaking on the sidelines of the three-day 4th Traffic Infra Tech Expo 2015 and 1st Parking Infratech 2015 after their inauguration today at the NSIC Grouds here.

"We have our own institute, the Institute of Urban Transport India, and we will also seek its expertise in coming up with the framework...," Aggarwal said.
Delhi-based think tank IUT was established in May 1997 as a professional body under the purview of the Union Ministry of Urban Development to promote, encourage and coordinate the state of urban transport, including planning, development, operation, education, research and management.
Themed on "Envisaging Safe and Secure Mobility", the 4th Traffic Infra Tech Expo has attracted nearly 100 participants from around the world, with Indian companies comprising more than half of the exhibitors.

The participating countries include Germany, Australia, Belgium, the UK, the US, China, Italy, Singapore and the UAE.

Indian exhibitors include state-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS), Skidata, Rosmerta Technologies among others, the organisers said.
"The number of vehicles on the streets is continuously increasing in the country and the idea of organising this expo is to provide an interface between the government, companies and all other stakeholders," they said.
Aggarwal took a tour of the expo and sought information from different companies on the prospect of establishing smart cities, especially cost factor and intelligence input involved in such projects. "Such an expo gives us the opportunity to explore possibilities of partnering with firms that may meet our needs and requirements," he said.