CONTENT1 Understanding ‘SmartCities’ better

3 The 98 Smart Cities

4 Smart City KeyFeatures

5 Urban Challenges

8 Innovation & Product

12 In NEWS

15 Magicbricks &SMART Cities

16 Consumer’sQuestions

17 Consumers speak onSmart Cities!

18 Discover YourLocality

People around the world have been trying tocrack the formula that would make citiessmart. Smart, liveable, working, efficient –these are all epithets that governments andpolicy makers globally are tossing around.

However, when the Indian government declared itsintent to create 98 Smart Cities and 500 AMRUT citiesthat would make life easier for its citizens, the impacthas been felt around the world.

Magicbricks, as the largest property portal in the country, has consistently been working with everycategory of citizens in urban agglomerations around the country. We are using our data and analyticsas well as our media reach to evolve data that could help in evolving metrics to measure just how smartcities and their citizens are.

We have found that property values which are the basic currency that drives all our research hasbecome a very credible proxy for the state of governance or the lack of it at the locality level. Anyintervention with respect to water, power, sewerage, drainage, transport or any such service directlyimpacts property values which impacts the local liveability. When a metro route is announced theinitial euphoria results in a small bump up in values. As the construction progresses and with theinconvenience of living through traffic snarls during the construction causes values to freeze or in manycases dip. Rental values are more prone to these changes than capital values. Finally when the projectis completed and the convenience of easy metro connectivity is felt, property values rise by upto 15-25% depending on the connectivity to key facilities.

In such a scenario, it is clear that citizens are a vital part of the entire Smart City initiative. Therefore, weuse them and their common sense to crowdsource information about the working of urban servicesand the solutions they would like to see implemented. This works as an awesome proxy to thenebulous citizenship that is the consumer whose lives and quality of lives are to be addressed withmunicipal governance.

Since Muncipalika is the host to probably one of the largest number of municipal managers at any oneforum, we have taken this opportunity to place on record what all the Smart City objectives aim toaddress and how we have used data to bring more transparency into the system. Can we involve theuser communities to generate unbiased assessments of how the urban governance measures work?

We invite every municipal manager to join Magicbricks in our effort to drive transparency and citizencentricity to make the ambitious Smart and Sustainable Cities project a success.

Foreword

E Jayashree KurupHead-Content & Research, Magicbricks

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What constitutes Smart Cities?Even a country like Singapore does not consider itself smartas of now. The goal there is to link technology solutions tomake it usable by citizens. We must understand that no citycan become smart overnight. It is a process. Allocation offunds by the government is not enough. If it were so, ideaslike Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission(JnNURM) would have made a difference. Since that dreamcouldn’t be realised, the Modi government is headedtowards ‘Smart Cities’.

The government tried evolving the concept. However, itdoesn’t mean that simply because one did something tomake the city smart, it will stay so for the entire timeperiod. Also, just because the government has named a fewcities, it does not make other cities less smart. Smart Citiesare necessarily those that are safe, easy to live in, haveemployment options and residential options are close towork places. This would mean you do not have to battlewith traffic every day and the public transport is efficient.The current scenario is bleak in urban India. Sewagedisposal, infrastructure management, payment of citizenservices - all these need to be addressed. When you lookback, there may be certain things that we have done rightwhile many more need to be addressed.

Relation between Infrastructure andProperty ValuesInfrastructure does not develop overnight. If a plannedinfrastructure makes a locality more liveable, one can

expect value escalation. The smarter a locality, the morewill be the price and the greater will be the return oninvestment. Buyers could consider investing in areas thathave the potential to become smart, efficient and effective.A smart city will definitely ensure a qualitative and ahassle-free lifestyle.

Understanding ‘SmartCities’ better

The concept ofSmart Cities in Indiahas been ofsignificant relevanceto the home buyingcrowd. Will it boostpositive sentimentsand bring about arevolution inhousing demand,economics andbusiness initiativesare some questionswhich only time cananswer. For now, let’sunderstand theconcept ‘SmartCities’ better.

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Keeping the tag intactA smart city would involve smart technologiesand features. If making a city smart is difficult,then its maintenance is even more difficult.However, the silver lining is that the maintenanceof facilities is not with the common man. SmartCities mean working cities and not essentiallypredominantly technological or otherwise. It is acombination of various factors that a city requiresto function effectively. Citizens also need to betrained to live in these cities. The government hasasked city managers to work with the citizensand come up with a working plan to make theircities smart. Therefore, the onus is on bothcitizens and the authorities.

Going forward, the citizens should also turnsmarter and collaborate with city managers andcouncillors. It is not enough that the city has beenshortlisted. On the contrary, as a resident of thatcity, your efforts and your city manager’sintiatives will determine the transformation andfunctioning of the city.

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The list of 98 cities was unveiled by the Union MinisterVenkaiah Naidu in August 2015. It includes 24 statecapitals, which are to be developed as Smart Cities.

The maximum number of to-be-developed Smart Cities arein UP, followed by Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

There are 13 cities from UP, 12 from Tamil Nadu, 10 fromMaharashtra, 7 from Madhya Pradesh, 3 each from Biharand Andhra Pradesh which have been included in the list.

In the first year, the government would select 24 cities thatwould be developed into Smart Cities.

The 98 Smart Cities

The prime motive behindthe smart city project is toenhance urban life. Thesmart city mission is verypractical and realistic. Weneed public participation.Smart Cities need smartpeople. We need people'sco-operation to moveforward in our mission.

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Smart City Key Featuresl Promoting mixed land use in area-based developments -

Planning for 'unplanned areas' containing compatibleactivites and land uses close to one another in order tomake land use efficient. The states will enable flexibilityin land use and building bye-laws to adapt to change

l Housing and inclusiveness - Expand housingopportunities for all

l Creating walkable localities - Reduce congestion, airpollution and resource depletion, boost local economy,promote interactions and ensure security. Road networkis created or refurbished for vehicles; pedestrians andcyclists; necessary adiministration services are offeredwithin walking distance

l Preserving and developing open spaces - Parks,playgrounds and recreational spaces in order to enhancethe quality of life of the citizens, reduce urban heateffects in areas and generally promote eco-balance

l Promoting a variety of transport options - TransitOriented Development (TOD), public transport and lastmile para-transport connectivity

l Making governance citizen-friendly and cost effective -Increasingly rely on online services to bring aboutaccountability especially using mobiles, reduce cost ofservices and provide services without having to go tomunicipal offices and use online monitoring of programsand activities with the aid of cyber tour of worksites

l Giving an identity to the city - Based on its maineconomic activity, such as local cuisine, health,education, arts and crafts, culture, sports goods,furniture, hoisery, dairy, etc.

l Applying Smart Solutions to infrastructure and servicesin area-based development in order to make them better.For example, making area less vulnerable to disasters,using fewer resources and providing cheaper services

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Starting from the basics

In the current scenario, many people are migrating from rural areas tocities, due to which there is a constant increase in the metropopulation. Our cities are not ready to accommodate the influx. Paul

Doherty, an architect by profession, CEO, The Digit Group, Inc., USA, says,“India is facing urbanization, the cities are not in a proper shape anddepend upon technology to change its shape. It is practical to deal withthe basics first. Elements such as hygiene, communication, intelligentinterface and most importantly technology should be in place first.”

Improve the quality of life by brining efficiency in various sectors such ashealth, energy, transport, water and education, among others.

Dr Sumit Chowdhury, Founder Gaia Smart Cities, India says, “In order toachieve the first basic level of smart infrastructure we need to share dataand information amongst each other to find patterns to develop multiplecities with common infrastructure.”

Smart Cities are not only about information and communicationtechnology but also about sustainable economic growth units providingshelter, power, mobility, high living standards, cleaner air and jobs.

There are enough challenges to achieving a Smart City status which thegovernment is addressing right now. The major concern is to getcollaboration and capture the true spirit of public/private partnerships.

s

“With the Smart Cities project, therewill be a surplus of land issued forurban development and housing.This will ensure that with moresupply, the prices of property arereined in. Lack of regular planningand small-term perspectives has ledto land utilisation being sub-optimal. By freeing up land forplanned urban development andlong 50-year term plans, cities canregenerate themselves and adapt tochanging demographics.”

Naveen Raheja, chairman, National Real EstateDevelopment Council (NAREDCO)

Smart City Challengesl Retrofitting existing infra to make it smart:

The most important latent issue for determining theexisting city’s weak areas that need utmostconsideration, e.g. 100 per cent distribution of watersupply and sanitation. The integration of formerlyisolated legacy systems to achieve citywide efficienciescan be a significant challenge.

l Financing smart cities: The High Power ExpertCommittee on Investment Estimates in UrbanInfrastructure has assessed a per-capita investment cost(PCIC) of Rs 43,386 for a 20-year period. Using anaverage figure of 1 million people in each of the 100 Smart Cities, the total estimate of investmentrequirement comes to Rs 7 lakh crore over 20 years (withan annual escalation of 10% from 2009-20 to 2014-15).This translates into an annual requirement of Rs 35,000crore. One has to see how these projects will be financedas majority of the project needs would move throughcomplete private investment or through Public PrivatePartnerships (PPPs).

l Availability of city development plan: Most of ourcities do not havecity development plans, which is thekey to smart city planning to improve and provide betteropportunities to its citizens. Unfortunately 70-80 percent of Indian cities do not have one.

l Financial sustainability of ULBs: Most Urban LocalBodies (ULBs) are not financially self-sustainable andtariff levels fixed by the ULBs for providing services oftendo not mirror the cost of supplying the same. Even ifadditional investments are recovered in a phasedmanner, inadequate cost recovery will lead to continuedfinancial losses.

l Technical constraints of ULBs: Most ULBs havelimited technical capacity to ensure timely and cost-effective implementation and subsequent operations

and maintenance owing to limited recruitment overyears, along with inability of the ULBs to attract the bestof talent at market competitive compensation rates.

l Three-tier governance: Successful implementation ofsmart city solutions need effective horizontal and verticalcoordination between various institutions. This includesproviding municipal amenities as well as effectivecoordination between central government (MoUD), stateand local government agencies on various issues relatedto financing and sharing of best practices and servicedelivery processes.

l Providing clearances in a timely manner: For timelyproject delivery, all clearances should use onlineprocesses and be cleared in a time-bound manner.Venkaiah Naidu, Minister of Urban Development says,“There is an imperative need for efficiency in the contextto sustained high rate of economic growth. “

l Reliability of utility services: Reliability of utilityservices, whether it is electricity, water, telephone orbroadband services is important. Smart Cities shouldhave access to electricity 24×7. For this, cities need tofocus and work towards achieving green buildings andgreen transport.

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Projected Investment In Next 20 YearsUrban Housing US $ 1.9 Trillion Urban Roads US $ 392 Billion Urban Transport US $ 100 Billion Water Supply US $ 73 Billion Sewerage US $ 55 Billion Storm Water Drains US $ 43 Billion Traffic Support & Infrastructure US $ 22 Billion Solid Waste Management US $ 11 Billion Street Lighting US $ 4.2 Billion

Good governance isputting people atthe centre of thedevelopmentprocess

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A smart city uses digital technologies or information andcommunication technologies (ICT) to enhance quality andperformance of urban services to make the lives of citizensbetter. It also needs popular schemes which will favour themetamorphosis. The Smart Cities Mission, Atal Mission forRejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Housingfor All in urban areas, are some mega urban schemes in Indiawhich will set in motion the process of urban transformation toenable better living. The missions are new, innovative andfocused on pressing needs to improve the quality of life forcitizens today and in the future.

100 Smart Cities The government has allocated an outlay of Rs 98,000 crore(US$ 15,329.26 million) to execute 100 Smart Cities andthe Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and UrbanTransformation (AMRUT) cities, which is an urbanrejuvenation programme for 500 towns and cities in thenext five years.

Smart Heritage CitiesThe government has introduced a project to develop 12 heritage cities across the country. Called HRIDAYScheme or National Heritage Development and

Augmentation Yojana, the cities included are Ajmer,Amaravati, Amritsar, Badami, Dwaraka, Gaya,Kanchipuram, Mathura, Puri, Varanasi, Velankanni and Warangal.

Smart PortsThe government plans to connect 12 smart cities with themaritime hubs at an estimated cost of Rs 50,000 crore (US$ 7821.05 million).

Smart Armed Force Stations (SAFS)There is a proposal to develop 6 smart armed force stations- 3 army, 2 airforce and 1 navy stations.

in

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Smart AerotropolisThe West Bengal government plans to develop the firstairport city called the Bengal Aerotropolis Pvt Ltd (BAPL) at Andal in Burdwan district.

Smart RailwaysThe Ministry of Railways has introduced world-class stationprogramme to upgrade and revamp the existing railwaystations. New Delhi Station will be the first to beredeveloped within this programme, spread over 86 hectares land with 18 platforms to handle excess of500,000 passengers per day. The Surat railway station is

also to follow with 2.27 lakh square metre forredevelopment of a new station. Along with this a total of1,052 stations have been identified for upgradation ofpassenger amenities. It is proposed to include 200 morestations under this scheme.

Smart VillagesSaansad Adarsh Gram Yojana - Parliamentarian's ModelVillage Scheme aims to ensure a holistic development ofidentified gram panchayats. Under this programme,Andhra Pradesh is the first state to launch the 'SmartVillage' plan aimed at making it a top state in the countryby the year 2029.

DMICThe Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) runningthrough six states - Delhi NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana,Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra. The cities that havebeen identified are Dholera in Gujarat, Shendra-Bidkin inMaharashtra, Greater Noida in UP, Ujjain in MP andGurgaon in Haryana.

SEZGuizhou International Investment Corp (GIIC) has signed aMoU with Kakinada Special Economic Zone (KSEZ), asubsidiary of GMR Infrastructure, to develop an industrialpark over 2,000-acre land for setting up Chinese high-endequipment manufacturing plants. GIIC will invest a total of$500 million in developing the infrastructure and variousother facilities of the industrial park. These Chinesecompanies will invest approximately $2-3 billion in settingup their operations over the next five years. This in turn willhelp in generating more than 5,000 jobs for both skilledand unskilled workers. In the coming years, this will alsoboost the liveability quotient of the nearby areassurrounding the SEZ.

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Through good governance, the state government in closeassociation with the municipality, can change the face ofany city. Maintaining international standards such asspecifications, plans and schemes, will ensure the desiredmetamorphosis.

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October 2015A number of US firms may invest infour smart citiesThe government may receive investments from US-basedcompanies for the development of the proposed fourSmart Cities in the state.

The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham India)officials will meet representatives of different urban localbodies and consultants this month to discuss the plans ofSmart Cities as well as theme townships.

A state delegation, including state urban developmentsecretary Debashis Sen, had a meeting with the AmChamIndia in New Delhi on October 5, 2015. In the presentation,the officials discussed ways in which US companies couldpartner with the four smart city projects in the state. Afterthe meeting, the firms are expected to express theirpreference for particular schemes.

The state officials also highlighted the opportunities in the six-theme townships, also aiming for "smartdevelopment". A suggestion was also placed beforeAmCham India if it could get involved as a handholdagency, similar to some of the city-based businesschambers, for the Dumurjala Sports City project.

Sen also met the Chairman of the National Housing Bank(NHB) with a proposal to form a partnership with thegovernment to help make financial and investment plansfor the six theme-township projects. A discussion was alsoheld with the officials of the Ministry of UrbanDevelopment over the methods to be adopted forevaluating the Smart City proposal.

RBI cuts policy interest rate to a 4-year lowThe Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cut its policy interest rateto a 4- year low of 6.75 per cent on September 29, in abigger-than expected move that with inflation running atrecord lows, could help an economy in danger of slowingdown."I don't think we have been excessively aggressive,"RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan told a news conference,explaining that falling global commodity prices had helpedthe RBI "front-load" the easing. "Clearly this was about,given the state of the economy, how we can moveforward," he added, reflecting widespread concern thatgrowth was losing momentum.

Govt in talks for funding of smartcities, 'Amrut' planThe World Bank is in talks with the government to providesome initial funding for the latter's smart cities programmeand the 'Amrut' initiative for urban revitalisation of thecountry.

"The World Bank is in discussions with the government toprovide some funding in the initial stages for the smartcities and Amrut (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and UrbanTransformation) programmes," said the bank's countrydirector Onno Ruhl.

He was speaking at the launch of a World Bank report onurbanisation, released by Sri Mulyani Indrawati, visitingWorld Bank managing director and chief operations officer.

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September 201512 Smart Cities in Chennai create alot of buzzThe announcement to develop 12 Smart Cities has createda lot of buzz in the real estate sector throughout the state.

As per the definition of a smart city, it is a city that usesdigital technologies or information and communicationtechnologies in order to improve quality of urban life, toreduce costs and resource consumption and where thecitizens engage more effectively and actively.

The central government's initiative to develop Smart Citiesacross the country has been applauded in all circuits. It willnot only enhance the quality of living but also benefit thedependent sectors. Recently, 100 cities were listed that willbe developed as Smart Cities in the time to come.

Sanjay Dutt, executive managing director, South Asia,Cushman & Wakefield says, “This push for urban renewal isexpected to lead to a surge in prices within and in thevicinity of the proposed Smart Cities and early investorsmay attain attractive returns. However sustaining the samewould depend on implementation of various projects thatwill lead to better infrastructure which should eventuallylead to more economic prospects for the city.”

The state of Tamil Nadu has got a major share in terms ofthe number of cities selected for the Smart Cities initiative.A total of 12 cities of Tamil Nadu have been selected to bedeveloped as Smart Cities in the years to come.

Chennai, Tiruchirapalli, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Vellore,Salem, Erode, Thanjavur, Tirunelveli, Dindigul, Madurai and

Thoothukudi will receive support from the centralgovernment for the next five years to achieve the idea ofSmart Cities. Industry experts are certain that this willrevive the sector and benefit both developers and buyers.

Sachin Sandhir, Global MD, Emerging Business, RICSinforms, “This swift development will not only boostsentiments among builders and investors but also of thosewho will be greatly involved in ancillary development ofSmart Cities.”

Anshuman Magazine, chairman and MD, CBRE South AsiaPvt Ltd, says, “The successful development of these SmartCities will now hinge on their effective implementationand monitoring at a central and state level. Huge fundmobilization, government capacity building at the stateand city level and public private partnerships will berequired for development of these cities.”

Ajit Chordia, president, CREDAI Chennai, considers this agreat initiative by the government, which will act as anengine for growth. “This is going to spur a huge amount ofinvestment, which will also have a multiplier effect. Therate of urbanisation is an indicator of growth in a state andthe smart city project will improve the quality of life atlarge. Every developed country has over 70 per centurbanisation and with this initiative, Tamil Nadu will havean urbanisation level more than the national average,” says Chordia, who feels that all the potantial growth areashave been targeted.

“We would have been happier if there had been anannouncement of a satellite green field smart city closer toChennai. It would have resulted in the setting up of urban

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infrastructure of a whole new level” hesays. As of now, the smart city project isbeing viewed optimistically as a long-term plan. “The money that has beenearmarked is small. But then, both thecentre and the state will be putting inmoney together. The government willbe a catalyst in it. The private sector willalso have to participate.”

Smart Cities also needgarbage disposalfacilitiesSmart Cities also need garbage disposalfacilities, the Bombay high courtreminded authorities on September 22."We are talking of smart city, but how do we progress ifbasic waste disposal facilities are not provided in cities,"said Justice Naresh Patil and Justice SB Shukre.

The judges were hearing petitions filed by builders seekingexemption from the April 2015 HC ban on newconstructions in Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporationareas till the civic body provides a waste disposal facility."Roads can be constructed, infrastructure built, but whatwill you do about garbage?" asked the judges, adding,"(The lack of facilities) in cities is a burning issue. Waterconservation and garbage disposal are priorities."

Over 150 building projects that had applied for permissionhave been stuck following the HC order.

The court had been irked by the fact that there had beenno progress in efforts to set up a waste treatment facility inKalyan for over 15 years. A waste treatment plant was firstproposed in 1999. The state had then asked KDMC toconsider joining a common waste treatment facility theMMRDA was setting up in Taloja. However, KDMC dithered

even as its own plans to identify land to set up a dumpingground failed to take off.

The judges remarked that while the focus of civic activismhad been on open spaces and gardens, less attention hadbeen paid to disposal of tonnes of waste generated incities. The court also heard an intervention application thatsought implementation of the Warangal model of wastemanagement, where conservancy workers were allowed tosell dry waste while wet waste was converted into manure.The court asked KDMC to submit details of constructionprojects in the city. Another HC bench had in August 2015,warned the BMC and the state of a similar order banningconstruction in Mumbai if it failed to sort out the disputeover permissions for waste treatment facilities at itsdumping grounds in the city.

Shrirang Barne and Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil, both MPsfrom Pimpri Chinchwad area, met the Urban DevelopmentMinister, Venkaiah Naidu in Delhi seeking separatemention for their city. The PMC has also sent letters to thestate and union government expressing displeasure.

https://plus.google.com/events/cneclo5hqjm5rqd543l9u0h6j0g

Magicbricks directlyanswers consumer querieson Smart Cities throughHangouts

Consumer QuestionsHow is Bengaluru getting impacted by the SmartCity concept of the government and why the same isnot part of the list? S Saha, Bengaluru

With the kind of progress made through IT/ITeS and withthe given profile of citizens in the city, most people like youhave been wondering why the city was given a miss fromthe list. Firstly, Smart Cities were pitched by stategovernments to the central government and the city couldhave been assessed in more than one way. Secondly,Bengaluru fails to be called smart despite smart citizenryand evolving smart solutions because while liveability interms of services may be good, access to these services isnot. Locals also feel that it is time the city moved to thenext level. Citizen participation has been minimal as well.

Do you think the selection of Smart Cities has beenfair? For example, NDMC area in Delhi has beenshortlisted. Don't you think there hasn't beenenough stress in developing areas that requiregovernment aid and efforts to develop? Gokul Chandran, Ahmedabad

Taking the NDMC area was the easiest thing to do. It is aplanned area with wide streets, better maintenance and ismaintained by the government. If they could extend bestpractices to the rest of Delhi, that would be the next beststep. Communication needs to be effective - that the fundsare not meant for NDMC region alone but to be extended toother areas in the form of efficient working systems.

As real estate trackers, how long will it take torealise Smart Cities? Joe Mammen, Kochi

The time taken to realise is the time taken by citizens toturn smarter, collaborate with city managers andcouncillors. It is not enough that your city was shortlisted.On the contrary, your efforts and those of your citymanagers will determine the time period.

Will Smart Cities take care of the lesser privileged ofthe society (in terms of affordable housing, slumrehabilitation, job migration)? Gagan N, Delhi

When a city govt has to provide for all whether you arepremium or BPL, the government needs to make sureeveryone gets all amenities. Affordable housing and slumrehabilitation is a challenge for city managers and SmartCities find a solution which is implementable and takesaway the pain of daily living in the city and this is not justfor creamy layer but for everybody.

Since optimum utilization of technological andnatural resources is of prime importance whentalking about Smart Cities, do you think it would beeconomical for residents in future? Rao, Pune

A smart city is all about providing quality of services even ifyou are charged for services as it comes for a premium. Butthis charge will be very less in comparison to what you arespending today in getting RO water filters or power savers.Good quality services is what Smart Cities will be all about.

&SMART cities

Alot has been said about ‘Smart Cities’ - from whichareas have been shortlisted to how citizenparticipation would ensure a better chance of your

city qualifying as smart. We captured the Swacch Bharatrankings, readers expressed their opinions about their partof the city.

Rajesh Babu from Puducherry says, “I live in Nehru Nagar, alocality that is just 3-km from the beach and the bus stand.Despite more than 500 families living in this area, the roadsaren’t tarred, cattle roam around freely on the roads,garbage gets piled up and issues occur with the existenceof improper drainage system. I haven’t seen anycorporation vehicle that would address this issue on aroutine basis. People might think that Puducherry is cleanbut when it comes to rankings, it has a long way to go.”

Madan Mohan, another reader expressed, “We have toaddress the basic problems. Dustbins meant for commonpublic are stolen overnight, residents dispose plastic bags,shoes, paper plates, etc. on the roads. We cannot afford tokeep our country so unclean.”

Karim Khan, a resident, feels that Mumbai city has turnedinto a slum and believes that there are issues that should belocally addressed.

Karnataka boasts the rare distinction of occupying fourslots in the list of the top ten in the Swacch Bharatrankings. Mysuru, Hassan, Mandya and Bengaluru weremarked the cleanest when it comes to solid wastemanagement provisions adopted at the local level. Do westop at this? As per our readers, these rankings are merelycomparative and there’s still more that needs to be done.

Swacch and infrastructure took a front seat in Budget 2015,which was good news. While the real estate looked forclarity on some of the announcements, there was little onthe plate. It is up to the real estate fraternity on how theymap a clean, connected India that was talked about.

Consumers speak onSmart Cities!

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The plus points: A significant amount hasbeen allocated for housing development,construction of 6 crore homes betweenurban and rural India, the mention of toiletsunder Swacch Bharat Abhiyan (perhaps thefirst time that this has been mentionedupfront in a Budget session), sizeableamount for water resources, cashlesstransactions to curb black money and amassive boost to physical infrastructure-railways and roads, tax free bonds andimplementation of GSTs.

The minuses: With a number ofdevelopers already unveiling their ‘Smart’projects, with so many government andagency conferences on Smart Cities, theBudget 2015 seems to have givenSmart Cities a miss.

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