BKC set to become first ‘smart district’ in Mumbai
The first ‘smart district’ in Mumbai will probably be the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC). For the completion of the BKC ‘smart district’ project by the end of this fiscal year, the authorities have called for bids for the project.
The MMRDA’s plans with regard to the ‘Smart BKC’ project chiefly include the provision of five services — public Wi-Fi, ‘smart’ parking facility, ‘smart’ solar street lighting, a citizen portal or apps for spotting utilities, and installation of video analytics-based CC TV cameras to alert agencies in case of thefts or any other kind of suspicious activities.
Revealing that the MMRDA plans to bring 175 hectares in the Bandra-Kurla Complex under Wi-Fi connectivity as a part of its ‘Smart BKC’ project, a senior official said that the proposed Wi-Fi connections will come with an Internet speed of 5Mbps; and added that “operators may allow visitors free usage for the initial few minutes and then charge as per the prevailing market rates.”
For the making BKC Mumbai’s first ‘smart district’ project, the MMRDA has invited expressions of interest for the project.
Towards that end, Metropolitan Commissioner U P S Madan said that the ‘Smart BKC’ project can be executed by March 2015, by and large on cash contract. Further adding that the MMRDA is also considering Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model for the project, Madan said: “The estimated cost will be ascertained only after the proposals.”
Source – The Times of India
