Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Modi’s idea of having smart cities is great' that was published in Newsband

Modi’s idea of having smart cities is great

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched his flagship Smart Cities Mission.  Modi’s urban-planning approach largely resonates with American-style urbanism. The government is putting the spotlight on smart cities and allowing the business community to lead the development.

Modi’s government should surely invest in smart cities, or rather empower the existing urban centres by means of policies that cater to poor and middle class Indians. For instance, at present almost every Indian city faces sanitation issues due to the absence or inadequacy of drainage networks. The migration of people from rural areas to the urban peripheries continues at a rapid pace, resulting in the mushrooming of slums and unauthorised colonies. If the basic checks and balances of proper planning, accountability, adherence to the basic laws, consideration of environmental impacts etc are taken care of, we should be able to see real progress.

Having hunger to develop is most appreciated but that development of nation should increase the standards of living of all, not just rich or poor.

One should not forget that America has a 20 trillion dollars economy compared to our 2 trillion dollars. A big part of America's economic growth is due to its privatization and public investment. The poor in USA have better living standards than many of our middle class. Travelling on American path isn't bad. The argument remains about the wage gap problems American face. We should realize that India is breading in a total different conditions (population, demographic, diversity, corruption, mindset, democracy and the "high young population ") and it is very difficult to achieve efficiency in India.

It is possible that Modi Government is also influenced by Japanese big cities. By SMART it could mean easy access to public spaces for disabled people, smart ways to generate electricity, smart water systems.  

Indian cities should be weaned away from getting river water. River water should be prioritized for farming and urban spaces should only use re-cycled water and de-salinated water for drinking and washing purposes.

What we require is strengthening of urban infra structure like transport, sanitation and drinking water, establishment of schools, colleges and healthcare, developing greenery by making growing trees mandatory for new houses and creating new and spacious parks and community halls for recreation and relaxing. Those who want to build exclusive housing can take care of themselves. That should not be top priority.

There is undoubtedly a desperate need to improve sanitation and drainage facilities in existing cities but it is also a good initiative to develop smart cities by the Government to keep pace with the developing cities throughout the world.