One of the prerequisites for building a smart city is effective monitoring and management of solid
waste. Unfortunately, most Indian cities fail to treat waste effectively as the existing solid waste
management (SWM) infrastructure is inefficient and inadequate. The lack of technology penetration
in SWM is a key reason for this dismal scenario. Urban local bodies also suffer due to the absence of
IoT-based devices and ICT-based solutions.
This is where the Smart Cities Mission is expected to play a role by driving the adoption of smart technologies to address the issue of waste management. Intelligent technology solutions such as smart bins with sensors, radio frequency identification tags on transport vehicles and GPS are gaining ground under the mission. Cities such as Surat, Indore and Coimbatore have already introduced smart solutions to streamline waste management processes. Other cities too need to deploy similar technologies and create awareness among end users to attain zero-discharge status.
The adoption of ICT-based solutions has been a trend in the power and gas sectors for the past four to five years. New and innovative technologies and digital solutions are being deployed across all segments of the power and gas value chains. The ongoing pandemic has further strengthened the case for the adoption of such technologies with a major shift towards remote working.
This issue of Smart Utilities discusses the key information technology and operational technology initiatives being undertaken by gas utilities to streamline business processes. It showcases the smart waste management initiatives being undertaken at the city level. It also analyses the impact of Covid-19 on clean mobility. In addition, the issue highlights the use of smart metering and GIS mapping by utilities.