The U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) and FICCI on Friday held a Smart Cities Conclave for Ajmer with senior representatives from the Rajasthan and the U.S. Government present during the conference.
This is the first major Smart Cities Conclave for Ajmer and included participation from major Indian and US companies such as United Technologies Corporation (UTC), IBM, Vermeer Corporation, Viacom 18, Corning, AECOM, CH2MHill, Oracle, Yes Bank, ICICI Bank, Mahindra Group and Black and Veatch, among others, to create a roadmap and advance the goal of developing Ajmer into a Smart City as articulated in the joint statement between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Barack Obama in September 2014.
USIBC member companies laid out the vision for some major pilot projects that will provide impetus to the Smart Ajmer initiative.
While UTC offered details of a pilot project that will enhance public protection with use of enhanced surveillance technology, IBM will target a pilot project directed towards water management.
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"The 100 Smart Cities is a bold vision that has been laid out by Prime Minister Modi. Smart Cities are complex projects that require involvement and commitment from multiple sectors. This includes a sophisticated view of urban planning with advanced technological solutions. Strong partnerships between financial institutions, governments at both state and central levels, as well as the industry are crucial to advancing the goals of a Smart City. The council and its members are excited to drive the initiative forward and advance Ajmer as a model for India's 100 smart cities plan," said USIBC executive vice president Diane Farrell.
The delegation will embark on a half day tour of Ajmer tomorrow to scope out sites for implementing the smart city plan.
Smart Cities are the integration of information technology, telecommunications, urban planning, smart infrastructure and operations in an environment geared to maximise the quality of life for a city's population.
