Panaji, the capital city of the State of Goa, is one of the globally-acclaimed tourist destinations, with around 600,000 domestic and 88,000 international tourist visits every year. In addition, it has a daily floating population of 5,000-15,000 people, besides its own denizens. Handling such a large headcount can be a challenge for any city unless the urban infrastructure is geared up to match up to the challenge.
So, Panaji’s selection by the Central Government as city to be developed into a Smart City was hailed by all quarters. Although the city has been managing its affairs pretty well over the years, once ‘smart infrastructure’ is in place, the city stakeholders can look forward to brighter times for the ‘Planet Tourism’.
What earned Panaji a place in the coveted list of smart cities is its numerous initiatives for the welfare of both its citizens as well as visitors. The city boasts of a Special Tourist Police force, regular police patrolling, helpline for women and women cab drivers to ensure their safety, citizen portal for road safety, rationalised level of pavements to ensure pedestrian safety, etc.
Given the pro-active attitude of the local administration as well as its civic authorities, one can rest assured that the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (GSIDC)—which has been tasked with the responsibility to take Panaji on the smart city path—will transform the city into a land that many will aspire to have a feel of.
With a view to highlighting the challenges and opportunities towards metamorphosis of Panaji into a smart city, Elets Technomedia, in association with GSIDC, is organising “Elets Knowledge Exchange – Goa”, with “Smart Cities in the Era of Digital India” as the underlying theme, in the picturesque setting of the capital city of Panaji on 10-11 June 2016.
The two-day meet will see vibrant sessions on Smart Cities, Digital India, Make in India, Swachh Bharat, AMRUT, Securing Cities in the Era of Smart Cities, etc. Key policymakers from the State of Goa and across India, and industry leaders and experts will take part in focused sessions on the given themes.
The event will also serve as a platform for exchange of knowledge between key stakeholders active in the fields of Governance and Urban Development – with special focus on Smart Cities, Education, Healthcare and BFSI.
We dedicate this special issue of eGov magazine to the zeal, all-round enthusiasm and channelised efforts in the State to don the mantle of a Smart City. Happy reading!
With a view to highlighting the challenges and opportunities towards metamorphosis of Panaji into a smart city, Elets Technomedia, in association with GSIDC, is organising “Elets Knowledge Exchange – Goa”, with “Smart Cities in the Era of Digital India” as the underlying theme, in the picturesque setting of the capital city of Panaji on 10-11 June 2016.