The government is planning to set up 100 smart cities across the country that will provide modern amenities, education and employment opportunities.

Allocation of Rs 7,060 crore is being done in the Budget. The smart cities initiative has grabbed attention of the IT sector as it is expected to invite an investments upto Rs 2,000 crore.

Lavasa, by HCC. SAP turning Bhopal into a smart city by automating and centralizing public service offerings by assiociating with the Bhopal Municvipal Corporation, (SAP has already introduced technology to Mumbai’s civic body MCGM), and Cisco Systems to turn Bangalore into a Smart City are some of the ongoing smart cities initiatives.

Gujarat’s Dholera smart city is already on a fast track; and the state government is all set to invite bids for investment there.

The MoU has been signed to turn Varanasi into a smart city with help from Kyoto. Under the smart heritage cities programme, Kyoto will assist to conserve and modernise cities, and art, culture and academics.

“Kyoto is a magnificent example of how a city preserves its cultural heritage while modernising itself”.