The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) will play the role of an Infrastructure Integrator by bringing together infrastructure developers, urban planning institutions, lending institutions and investors to realise the smart city vision, says Dinesh T Waghmare, the PCMC Municipal Commissioner, in an interaction with Poulami Chakraborty of Elets News Network (ENN)
What is your vision of a smart Pimpri Chinchwad city?
The PCMC has already taken a lead in bringing digital governance for municipal services. The approach towards smarter Pimpri Chinchwad is to integrate the digital governance system with physical infrastructure and citizens through GIS platform to catalyse the process of infrastructure development to achieve the goal of being a slum-free city and a lowcarbon city while also retaining the economic growth.
What challenges do you foresee in turning Pimpri Chinchwad into a smart city?
The challenges I foresee in turning Pimpri Chinchwad into a smart city are:
- Integrating the planning process of different authorities like MIDC, PCNTDA, defence authorities and railways;
- Developing channels for active citizen participation;
- Developing accurate and dynamic information system for decision-making;
- Making available the last-mile connectivity; and
- Averting human hazard by preventing river pollution
“The approach towards smarter Pimpri Chinchwad is to integrate the digital governance system with physical infrastructure and citizens through GIS platform to catalyse the process of infrastructure development to achieve the goal of being a slum-free city and a low-carbon city while also retaining the economic growth”
What will be the role of PCMC in realising the smart city dream?
The local government of PCMC will take the role of Infrastructure Integrator by bringing together infrastructure developers, urban planning institutions, lending institutions and investors to realise the smart city vision. PCMC already has the experience of being Infrastructure Integrator for developing the BRT system in the city. The financing for the BRT project has been done by the Government of India (GoI), Government of Maharashtra (GoM), World Bank and Pimpri Chinchwad Infrastructure Company (PCIC) through its Urban Transportation Fund (UTF).
To improve the efficiency of transport system, PCMC will develop an integrated multi-modal route rationalisation plan, which will be implemented through the ITMS. PCMC has already undertaken the study for the implementation of nonmotorised transportation and public parking along all transit corridors
What is your vision for developing an efficient transport system for the smart city?
The vision for transport system in smart Pimpri Chinchwad is to have efficient, economical, intelligent and integrated transportation infrastructure for public and freight. PCMC has embarked to achieve this vision by developing a comprehensive mobility plan for implementing the BRT system over a stretch of 120 km. As per the plan, as on date, 45-km-long road has already been developed and another 75 km stretch development is under implementation. To enhance the transportation capacity further, 7.15- km metro rail system and 30 km light rail system (LRT) has been planned.
To improve the efficiency of transport system, PCMC will develop an integrated multi-modal route rationalisation plan, which will be implemented through the Intelligent Transit Management System (ITMS). PCMC has already undertaken study for implementation of non-motorised transportation and public parking along all transit corridors.