From expanding the use of smart-teaching technology to setting up ‘smart-poles’ with panic buttons in public spaces, the New Delhi Municipal Council’s Budget for 2019-2020 includes many proposals aimed at achieving its target of becoming a Smart City.
Presented by NDMC Chairperson Naresh Kumar on Tuesday, the civic body’s Budget for the upcoming financial year proposes an expenditure of ₹4,144.53 crore, up from expenditure of ₹3,727.23 crore, according to the revised budget estimate for 2018-19.
Among the areas selected for the Centre’s Smart Cities Mission, the NDMC’s special purpose vehicle (SPV) for the project has so far received a grant of ₹194 crore from the Ministry of Urban Development and ₹200 crore from the NDMC, Mr. Kumar said in his Budget speech.
Under its smart city initiative, the NDMC has already installed 55 ‘smart-poles’ in Connaught Place that have LED lights, Wi-Fi access, air pollution sensors and communication infrastructure.
‘Smart poles’
Mr. Kumar proposed installing 625 more such poles across NDMC’s jurisdiction that will have the additional facility of a panic button, which will have network connection to schools, NDMC offices and local police station.
He also proposed making all NDMC primary school classrooms ‘smart classes’, complete with digital curriculum and cameras.
Earlier, the NDMC had converted all Class VI to XII into smart classes.
The chairperson also proposed a redevelopment plan for Rajpath. Apart from rejuvenation of the existing water channel, the plan includes setting up a waterbody and fountains; setting up parking for 1,000 cars; and providing utilities like toilets and drinking water.
