eGov February 2017

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FEBRUARY 2017

ASIA’S FIRST MONTHLY MAGAZINE ON e-GOVERNANCE

VOLUME 13 n  ISSUE 02

COVER STORY 74 G V RAMANA RAO Managing Director of TSRTC

76 D JAYARAJ KENNEDY Additional Municipal Commissioner – IT, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation

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Telangana Takes High Road to Urbanisation

80 M MAHENDAR REDDY IPS, Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad City

JITENDER IPS, Additional Commissioner of Police, Traffic, Telangana

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G T VENKATESHWARA RAO Special Commissioner, eGovernance

K T RAMA RAO

NVS REDDY

Minister, Municipal Administration and Urban Dev., Info. Technology

Managing Director, Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL)

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SHRI BONTHU RAMMOHAN HW Mayor, Gr. Hyderabad Municipal Corporation

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SPECIAL FEATURES

INTERVIEWS

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TRANSFORMING LEARNING EXPERIENCE IN RAJASTHAN

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DENMARK KEEN TO HELP IN INDIAN WATER SECTOR

42 SANDESH NAYAK

AMRAPALI KATA

C N RAGHU PRASAD

O P CHAUDHARY

IAS, CEO, Jaipur Smart City Ltd

IAS, District Collector, Warangal, Telangana

Zonal Commissioner East Zone, GHMC

IAS, Collector, Raipur

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M NAGARAJ

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CONFERENCE REPORT

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C SHEKAR REDDY

Chairman-cum-Managing Director, PEC Limited

former National President, CREDAI

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DR B JANARDHAN REDDY IAS, Municipal Commissioner, GHMC

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SAURABH KUMAR Managing Director, EESL

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Zonal Commissioner (Centre Zone), GHMC

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RAIPUR SMART CITY THE DREAM CITY OF ASPIRING MINDS

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HARICHANDANA DASARI

UNITE THE FAMILY DIVIDE THE WASTE

RAJESHWAR TIWARI

SUNIL SHARMA

T CHIRANJEEVULU

Special Chief Secretary, Health, Medical & Family Welfare, Telangana

Principal Secretary, Transport, Roads and Buildings, Telangana

Metropolitan Commissioner of HMDA

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EDITORIAL

The Ascent of Telangana in Urban Pecking Order

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riven by innovative policies and a determination to reinvent itself, India’s newly formed State of Telangana seems earnestly moving towards its goal to epitomise urban development in the country.

The approach, underpinning this ambitious target, is this State government’s sharp focus on developing the State holistically by creating balance among social, cultural, economic and physical aspects of growth. Our cover story ‘Telangana Takes High Road to Urbansiation’ aims to highlight the K Chandrashekar Rao government’s clarity of vision to achieve development by a structured urban growth. Twenty-four new development bodies have been assigned the task to cover all 31 districts of this State, ensuring an equitable growth. A special interview of KT Rama Rao, Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Information Technology, Government of Telangana, in this issue of eGov provides an up-close view of the development policy being followed by the State to prepare the blueprint of its development. The issue also carries interviews of State bureaucrats, providing an insight into how technology and innovations are being harnessed by them in Telangana, taking good governance closer to the common man to ensure efficient delivery of services. In this city, as we learnt, citizens are also actively contributing to help government successfully carry out its initiatives. We have also featured interviews of special personalities like Dr B Janardhan Reddy, Municipal Commissioner, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC); along with other important ones like Rajeshwar Tiwari, Special Chief Secretary to Government, Health, Medical and Family Welfare; Sunil Sharma, Principal Secretary, Transport, Roads and Buildings; Harichandana Dasari, Sandesh Nayak, CEO, Jaipur Smart Mission Ltd; Jitender, and Mahender Reddy, Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad City. The issue also features Smart City Summit held in Lucknow by Elets Technomedia in partnership with the Government of Uttar Pradesh. The conference brought together policy makers, industry leaders and other stakeholders on one platform, highlighting key issues and helping all to understand future roadmap of making Lucknow a Smart City. We hope the latest issue will bring new insights into the transformation happening in India’s urban landscape and be your guiding light. Looking forward to our readers’ invaluable feedback.

Dr Ravi Gupta Editor-in-Chief Ravi.Gupta@elets.in Email at subscription@elets.in to get previous issues

November 2016

December 2016

January 2017

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COVER STORY

Telangana Takes High Road to Urbanisation Telangana government– with its major thrust on urban development – is in the process of constituting 24 new urban development authorities to promote structured urban growth plan in the State. Sudheer Goutham of Elets News Network (ENN) outline the vision and mission of Telangana government that is driving the holistic development of the State on a fast track.

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COVER STORY

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elangana, having come into existence recently in 2014, is on a fast track mode in urban development, achieving significant milestones in government administration year-on-year. Powered by a strong leadership and armed with focused policies, the state is on the move steadily with a determination for holistic development of the region. The state believes that urban development is the social, cultural, economic and physical development of cities, as well as the underlying causes of these processes. Cities and their development is a central topic in human geography, and the study of cities makes up the sub-discipline of city geography or urbanism. Physical development of cities especially infrastructure, real estate and affordable housing is on the top agenda of the state leadership. According to KT Rama Rao, Minister for

Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Information Technology, Government of Telangana, urban development has been one of the major focus areas. “In Telangana, urban population constitutes 40 per cent and migration from rural areas to cities, especially to Hyderabad, is more. We are in the process of forming 24 new urban development authorities to ensure structured urban growth,” Rao says. He states creating 21 new districts is meant to ensure smaller towns also develop and the youth get better employment opportunities. Besides, these urban bodies will transform Telangana, reducing pressure on Hyderabad and Warangal cities. In addition to four existing development authorities – Hyderabad Metropolitan Development

Authority, Kakatiya Development Authority, Yadadri Urban Development Authority and Vemulavada Urban Development Authority – 24 new development bodies will cover all the 31 districts of the state to plan structured growth. The state has many projects in pipeline for urban development and transforming Hyderabad, as a global city is the top agenda for the State, with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) being in the front end to make it happen.

Infrastructure Sector in India As infrastructure sector is a key driver for the state economy and the national economy, the sector is majorly responsible for propelling Telangana’s overall development. It has intense focus from government for initiating policies that would ensure time-bound creation of world class infrastructure in the country. The Central Government has announced its target of `25 trillion ($376.53 billion) investment in infrastructure over a period of three years, which will include Rs 8 trillion ($120.49 billion) for developing 27 industrial clusters and an additional `5 trillion ($75.30 billion) for road, railway and port connectivity projects. Market Size: India needs `31 trillion ($454.83 billion) to spend on infrastructure development in five years, with 70 per cent of funds needed for power, roads and urban infrastructure segments. The Indian construction equipment industry is expected to grow to $5 billion by FY201920 from current size of $2.8 billion, according

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COVER STORY

Telangana -At A Glance With an area of 112,077 square kilometres and a population of 35,193,978 (2011 census), Telangana is the 12th largest State of India. With its major cities including Hyderabad, Warangal, Nizamabad, Khammam, Karimnagar and Ramagundam, Telangana is bordered by the states of Maharashtra to the north and north west, Chhattisgarh to the north, Karnataka to the west and Andhra Pradesh to the east and south.

Government’s Vision and Projects The state has a roadmap for urban development and earmarked nearly Rs 30,000 crore on welfare schemes. Some of its projects include: Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR), Strategic Road Development Programme (SRDP), and Hyderabad – a Global City. Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR): It is a rapid transit system, currently under construction, for the city of Hyderabad. It is in Secant Operational model and being implemented entirely on public-private partnership (PPP) basis, with the state government holding a minority equity stake. Following a construction period of just five years, the first phase, comprising three lines totalling 71 km with 66 stations will be completed in 2017.

to a report released by the Indian Construction Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (ICEMA). Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) received in construction development sector from April 2000 to March 2016 stood at $24.19 billion, according to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP). Telangana is witnessing significant interest from international investors in the infrastructure space. Many Spanish companies are keen on collaborating on infrastructure, high speed trains, renewable energy and developing smart cities. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved $631

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Strategic Road Development Programme (SRDP): The State is rolling out SRDP to ensure overall improvement in connectivity and circulation of traffic, aiming at seamless and signal-less traffic wherever possible. SRDP has physical components like world class roads and junctions, proper facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists, intelligent transport systems and smart technologies. Over 152 km of Outer Ring Road (ORR) has been laid connecting Vijayawada Highway, Warangal Highway and Karimnagar Highway. This will avoid passing of non-city through the center of the city. Also, 42 km end-to-end 6-lane expressway alongside of the Musi river is planned, which is hoped to free entire space along. At the city-level, five major components have been planned. They are five skyways. Hyderabad – a Global City: It is a high priority project for the Government of Telangana. Hyderabad has been declared as the fifth most dynamic city in the world ahead of London (UK), Austin and Boston (US). Hyderabad has over 1 crore population with 21 lakh households. The state Government and local administration are finding permanent solutions for drinking water, electricity and lights, parks and water

million loan to develop the first coastal corridor, namely the Vishakhapatnam-Chennai

bodies and strict regulation of buildings. In fact, Hyderabad witnessed the first powercut free summer city last year. According to KT Rama Rao, Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Information Technology, Government of Telangana, “we could do this by raising states internal efficiency”. “We brought power from available external resources; we actually did not generate 1 MW of power. 4760 MW is the installed capacity of all the power stations in the state. Further, to make Telangna is power-cut free state, plans, with an investment of Rs 2,000 crore, are in the offing to generate 24,000 MWs of power, of which 3000 MW from solar energy. As Hyderabad is the global city in making, so we need a dedicated power island that dedicated power distribution systems and sub-stations.” Urban Development has been one of the major focus areas of the Telangana state government since its formation. In the backdrop of rapid urbanisation, plans to create 24 new urban development authorities for a structured urban growth is one of the prominent initiatives undertaken by them.

industrial corridor, which is expected to bring manufacturing and export industries to the east coast. Airports Authority of India (AAI) plans to develop city-side infrastructure at 13 regional airports across India with the help of private players for building of hotels, car parks and other facilities, and thereby boost its non-aeronautical revenues. The Government of India has earmarked `50,000 crore ($ 7.34 billion) to develop 100 smart cities across the country. The Government released its list of 98 cities for the smart cities project in August 2015.



POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE / JITENDER

Tackling Traffic

Nuisance

Innovatively Hyderabad Traffic Police has introduced Hyderabad Traffic Integrated Management System (HTRIMS), an innovative system that reduces the waiting time for commuters at the signals and also saves fuel, says Jitender, IPS, Additional Commissioner of Police, Traffic, Government of Telangana in conversation with Harshal Desai of Elets News Network (ENN).

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raffic Police in Hyderabad has undertaken several IT initiatives to streamline its operations. Can you share some of them? Hyderabad Traffic Police has introduced Hyderabad Traffic Integrated Management System (HTRIMS). These are smart signalling system equipped with cameras. If the roads are empty and there are no vehicles to move, the system automatically allows vehicles on the other side to move. This innovative system has allowed us to reduce the waiting time for commuters at the sig-


JITENDER / POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE

nals. HTRIMS also helps in saving the fuel. We conducted surveys and collected data from different sources and found that due to the system, the journey time is reduced from 10 to 20 per cent on some stretches. All these signalling system are controlled from central control room. It has allowed us to optimise signal timing at some places. Further, we are the first police department in the country to implement cashless system of challan. And we are glad to update you that we have been running this system for the last two years successfully. This system has certainly boosted confidence in public resulting in greater compliance level. We have also focused a lot on pedestrians’ safety. We have also proposed to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to build more and better footpaths for pedestrians. People are encouraged to make the most of footpaths.

Hyderabad Traffic Police is also using body cameras. Could you throw some light on the same. This is again an initiative which has been implemented for the first time by the Hyderabad Traffic Police. This initiative has not only improved the behaviour of the public but also of the policemen who wear these body cameras. Cases of assault on policemen and public were common a few years back. However, with this step there has been tremendous improvement in the behaviour of both publc and policemen. Both the sides have started respecting each other. It has also reduced stress among police personnel. It has indeed boosted the two-way transparency in the entire process. Body cameras have proved to be an effective way to spread a feeling of satisfaction among public.

Are you planning to increase the workforce of the Traffic Police? I can proudly say that Hyderabad Traffic Police is not planning to increase the strength of personnel. On the contrary, we are planning to reduce the strength. Over the last year, we have been able to reduce the traffic police personnel by 200 and we will reduce the number by 500 in the next two years. Our aim is to have a copless traffic management system. We have already initiated the procurement of latest Intelligent Traffic Management Systems

(ITMS) and have established our control and command centre. We will probably have the system in place in less than six months. These mechanisms will help us in reducing the number of personnel.

We are working on Integrated Parking Management. What about integrating ITMS system with various other departments? Will it be an issue? We are in the process of building a command and control room in Hyderabad. The Chief Minister has already laid the foundation stone. It is the dream project of our CM. The centre will be equipped with the latest technology fusion centre and will house several departments including Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Transport, Road and Building, Research and Development, etc, working in Hyderabad and other regions from Telangana. It will be a multi-agency centre for different departments of Telangana government. At the centre, we will integrate technologies. We hope the project will be completed in the next 21 months.

We have studied processes across the globe and decided to build such a centre in Hyderabad. It will certainly be the first of its kind centre in the country.

What steps are you taking to tackle the drunk and driving cases in Hyderabad? Last year, we booked 16,000 cases, and about 7,000 of them were awarded “social service” as punishment. Nobody is allowed to drive in a drunken state. We immediately seize the vehicles of drunk drivers and register the case against them. We also keep an eye on repeated offenders.

At present, 15 lakh vehicles are on the roads and every day around 1,000 vehicles are added additionally. We are working on Integrated Parking Management System as well. We are working with urban development authorities to conceptualise and execute the project. We are also concerned about the hawkers and are planning to have a technology oriented hawker management system to make the life of hawkers and citizen easier. We want to regulate them so that they don’t cause any problem to the pedestrians and people living around.

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POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE / K T RAMA RAO

Redefining Telangana

Through Urban Transformation: KTR

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elangana government seems to have undertaken several initiatives in the urban space, can you share some of the prominent ones with us and tell what is the idea behind creating 21 new districts? Urban Development has been one of the major focus areas. In Telangana, urban population constitutes 40 per cent and migration from rural areas to cities, especially to Hyderabad is more. We are in the process of forming 24 new urban development authorities to ensure structured urban growth. The idea of creating 21 new districts is to ensure smaller towns also develop and youth finds employment opportunities. These urban bodies will transform Telangana. This will reduce the pressure on Hyderabad and Warangal cities. In addition to four existing development authoritiesHyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority, Kakatiya Development Authority, Yadadri Urban Development Authority and Vemulavada Urban Development Authority, 24 new development bodies will cover all the 31 districts of the S tate to avoid haphazard growth.

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Telangana State has been in the forefront of all major urban initiatives, says K T Rama Rao, Minister, Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Information Technology, in an exclusive interview with Sudheer Goutham while sharing how the government plans to redefine the State and transform its capital Hyderabad into a global city. Excerpts:


K T RAMA RAO \ POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE

What is the significance of the water grid project and digital Telangana initiative? We are combining energies and synergies of these two projects while permanently solving the drinking water issues and making the whole State truly digital. Our Digital Telangana project will be implemented with support from w the Telangana Water Grid project. The water grid project aims at to provide 100 liters of clean drinking water per person in rural households and 150 liters per person in urban households. This project aims to provide water to about 25,000 rural habitations and 67 urban habitations. While the duct lines are laid to supply drinking water to each household, the same trenches will be used to put optical fiber cables reaching every household. 4G services will be provided through telecom operators through these channels and also Wi-Fi availability are being made in Hyderabad, Warangal and other important towns of the State. Internet connection will be made available to nine million households in next 18 months and 150 km trenches have been dug up already. As part of Digital Telangana we are making people digitally literate by imparting literacy on a mission mode. Through this, we will also provide digital solutions for providing better healthcare, education, real-time scientific advisory to farmers, disaster mitigation and others.

Since formation of Telangana State the government has been talking about turning Hyderabad into a ‘global city’, how is the government going to achieve this? The Telangana government is committed to make Hyderabad a ‘Global City’, overcoming all the challenges with proper planning and strategies. Our efforts are already showing results and getting recognition worldwide. Hyderabad has been declared as the fifth most dynamic city in the world ahead of London, Austin and Boston according to the City Momentum Index (CMI) on the basis of innovation and technology, ability to adapt and leverage major factors of growth. Hyderabad has over one crore population with 21 lakh households. It basically has two parts -- old and new city -- and there are challenges likewise. We are sorting the basics likedrinking water, electricity and lights, parks and water bodies and strict regulation of buildings.

In terms of plans for electricity, I am proud to say that Hyderabad witnessed the first powercut free summer last year. We could do this by raising States’ internal efficiency. We brought power from wherever we could; we actually did not generate 1 MW of power. 4,760 MW is the installed capacity of all the power stations in the State. Further to make Telangna a power-cut free State, plans with an investment of `2,000 crore are in the offing to generate 24,000 MWs of power, of which 3000 MW from solar energy. As Hyderabad is the global city in the making, so we need a dedicate power island that dedicated power distribution systems and sub-stations. For Drinking water, in view of ever growing population in Hyderabad we are coming up with two new reservoirs with a capacity 30 TMC on two sides of the city. This water resource can feed the population in the city. Garbage Management– It is being performed in three ways – collection, transportation and waste treatment. For the first time in the history of India, our State has distributed

What is this Strategic Road Development Programme (SRDP) all about? Despite numerous advantages to Hyderabad, chaotic traffic in the city has become an issue. It is due to the over dependency on arterial roads, unplanned junctions and inadequate safety for pedestrians. City has challenges in infrastructure provision, transportation and traffic management. Under the leadership of the Chief Minister, KCR, we are rolling out SRDP- Strategic Road Development programme to deal with it permanently. With this, we will ensure overall improvement in connectivity and circulation of traffic aiming at Seamless and signal less traffic wherever possible. SRDP has following physical components - world class roads and junctions, proper facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists, intelligent transport systems and smart technologies. Over 152 km of Outer Ring Road has been laid connecting Vijayawada Highway, Warangal Highway and Karimnagar Highway. This will avoid passing of non-city through the centre of the city.

We have proposed automatic fare collection systems in buses with smart cards. As part of Digital Telangana we are making people digitally literate by imparting literacy on a mission mode. two bins to each household for collection of segregated garbage. Several auto trolleys have been put in place for collection of garbage and we are making wealth out of waste. Wet garbage is being used as manure and dry waste is being used to create energy. For Cleaner and Greener city– special emphasis is being given on greenery rejuvenation by planting saplings in 25,000 acres within GHMC and in 1.6 lakh acers within HMDA. Sewer lines and Roads– To avoid battering of roads in heavy rains, we have taken up white topping of roads. We did a pilot project in Banjara Hills Roads and it was successful. We are taking white topping of over 100 km of roads besides laying 1800 km of BT roads. Transport infrastructure and traffic management is being taken care by Strategic Road Development Program (SRDP).

Also, 42 km of end-to-end 6 lane expressway alongside of the Musi river will become a reality. This expressway will free up entire space along the Musi river which can be developed in a leisure and tourist space. At the city-level five major components have been planned --five skyways, measuring around 100 km, 11 major corridors, measuring 184 km, 60 majors roads, covering 316 kms, Other roads measuring about 1,400 km. 50 grade separators/interchanges, major junctions spread across whole city. Special emphasis on bus bays, pedestrian and bicycle facilities are planned. Understanding the complex situations and finding the solutions, extensive studies have been made. The government of Telangana has taken this work in a mission mode. Hyderabad Metropolitan region is spread over 7,200 square kilometer.

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POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE / G T VENKATESHWARA RAO

MeeSeva-

Empowering People Digitally

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hat is the overview of MeeSeva?

MeeSeva platform was earlier part of eSeva platform and over the last 15 years, it has made rapid strides. From 2012, the organisation has witnessed a significant change and incorporated various new options online. After the formation of Telangana, the department has further witnessed tremendous growth as the State ranks number one (on the basis of e-transaction per thousand population) as per the statistics from Electronic Transaction Aggregation and Analysis Layer (eTAAL). The objective of MeeSeva is to provide smart, citizen-centric, ethical, efficient and effective governance facilitated by technology. The initiative involves universal and non-discriminatory delivery of all government services to citizens and businessmen of all stratas and improved efficiency, transparency and accountability for the government. The initiative features transformed government-citizen interface at all levels of administration along with a shared governance model. The project brings in a digital Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) enabled integrated architecture through multiple service delivery points by fusing in the various preexisting State initiatives with the mission-mode projects like State Data Centre (SDC), State Wide Area Network (SWAN) and Common Service Centers (CSCs) of the National eGovernance Plan (NeGP) of the Government of India.

How the department has evolved over the years to ensure better services? The services of MeeSeva and eSeva are offered

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The Government of Telangana has launched ‘MeeSeva’ to provide smart, citizen centric, ethical, efficient and effective governance facilitated by technology. The initiative involves universal and non-discriminatory delivery of all government services to citizens, says G T Venkateshwara Rao, Special Commissioner, eGovernance and Commissioner, Electronic Service Delivery, MeeSeva, Government of Telangana in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).

through 110 government owned centres and 4,500 franchises. We serve an average of about 50,000-60,000 daily on eSeva platform and about 60,000 to one lakh people on our MeeSeva platform. We handle about 350 crore to 400 crore of revenue every month. If you see the increasing scale, you will know that we are the best in the country when it comes to number of people served every day, number of services offered and the money routed through the platform. The biggest achievement of our electronic service delivery platform (ESD) is that we play a crucial role in government’s decision to ensure transparency between citizens and bureaucracy. We offer close to 600 services of 34 different departments. If any citizen needs to know about any particular service of any particular department, he/she just needs to visit any of the 4,500 service centres. So, instead of a citizen approaching to the government, we have actually brought the government at citizens’ doorstep. So, ensuring transparency and easy access to government and its departments are the two major tasks we are responsible for.

A lot of new projects are being undertaken by your department. Will you please elaborate MeeSeva 2.0? We have already done well. But yes, there is still a lot of scope for improvement. We have identified few concerns which includes the

presence of multiple applications. We have four applications maintained by four different vendors which is a little troublesome to manage. Presence of multiple user-interface – We want to uniform the look and feel of our applications; Lack of analytics, financial reconfiguration and modernisation of available architecture – We will like to have a Service Oriented Architecture (SoA) which is the latest one. These are the areas we will be working upon in near future . Building TAppFolio is another major initiative undertaken by the government to promote mGovernance. We will develop entire mobile services delivery gateway within the current infrastructure. In very simple words, the government of Telangana wants to deliver all its services on mobile phones. We plan to move all our services to mobile applications in different phases. It will enable the citizen to make the most of governments online services by downloading a single app. The National Institute of Smart Governance is our consultant for both the jobs – TAppFolio and MeeSeval2.0 project. The TAppFolio contract has already been signed and we have initiated the work. We hope we will be able to launch these applications before June 2017. Mobile platform will certainly be a nice experience for the citizens. It will be a cheaper way for them to get access to different government services.



POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE / NVS REDDY

Metro Rail-Redefining

Hyderabad Hyderabad Metro Rail Project is full of highly advanced technical features. Some of the highlights of this project are conversions of metro tracks into precast mode and the elevated metro station design inspired by bird and cantilever structure, says NVS Reddy, Managing Director, Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).

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TELANGANA HOTEL’S EMPLOYEES WELFARE ASSOCIATIONS

‘Ó\s>±D Vü≤À≥˝Ÿ‡ msbÕ¢sTTdt yÓ˝ÒŒsY nk˛dæj˚TwüHé

Revised text : Telangana Hotel’s Employees Welfare Association Advocating the right and welfare of Hotel Employees Large base of hotel industry continues to be in the unorganized sector leaving the workers and their families with no security. Due to occupational hazards hotel workers are forced to work for more than 12 hours. These employees are frequently required to stand or sit still, or to otherwise maintain an awkward and unnatural posture for prolonged periods of time. In the case of the kitchen, the small quarters and extreme indoor temperatures are frequent causes of burns, cuts, and falls Founded since the formation of Telangana, the youngest state of India, Telangana Hotel Employees Welfare Association has been striving towards advocating the rights and welfare of hotel employees of the state. • Health • Education • Legal Aid • Social Welfare etc.. Members:

B. Sidharth Goutham

N. Paramesh

K. Ravinder Goud

V. Chander

E. Shiva Reddy

B.A.LLB, Advocate Founder Telangana Hotels Employees Welfare Association

Head Cheff Co-Founder Telangana Hotels Employees Welfare Association

Cheff Co-Founder Telangana Hotels Employees Welfare Association

Cheff Co-Founder Telangana Hotels Employees Welfare Association

Kitchen Manager Co-Founder Telangana Hotels Employees Welfare Association

• B. Siddhartha Goutham, B.A.LLB, Advocate, Founder of Telangana Hotel’s Employees Welfare Association, Hyderabad, TS • N Paramesh General secretary & Co-founder, Telangana Hotel's Employees Welfare Association.


POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE / NVS REDDY

H

yderabad metro rail project is the largest in the world under Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, what are the key highlights of this project? Under this project, three high density traffic corridors (72 km) taken up in phase 1, which includes Miyapur – Lal Bahadur Nagar (29 km; 27 stations), Jubilee Bus Station – Falaknuma (15 km; 16 stations) and Nagole – Shilparamam (28 km; 23 stations). Integration and interchange has been planned with existing rail terminals, Multi Modal Transport System (MMTS) stations and Bus depots. Air conditioned “Merry Go Round” feeder buses between metro rail stations and catchment areas will be a major highlight. It will ensure “seamless travel” facility – on same ticket. The project aims at materialising an urban redesign and rejuvenation effort to transform Hyderabad into a people friendly green city. ‘Transit+’ concept means last mile connectivity with Non-Motorised Transport (NMT), pedestrian facilities and street furniture, ecofriendly stations with natural ventilation, skywalks, ramps, escalators, elevators and a host of commuter-friendly facilities.

politan culture, tremendous growth potential and investment-friendly economic policy are all making it an attractive destination for corporates, entrepreneurs, academicians and homemakers alike. The increasing pressure of the burgeoning population is putting Hyderabad’s Transportation System under constant pressure. The need of the hour is a robust system that is dependable, comfortable, affordable and sustainable. An efficient, safe, reliable and comfortable public transportation system is one of the prerequisites of good living.

Will you please brief us on the current status of the metro rail project in Hyderabad?

Hyderabad Metro Rail Project is full of highly advanced technical features. Conversions of metro tracks into precast mode, the elevated

Presently, over 1,000 expatriate and Indian engineers are working on designs at various work stations. About 55 km foundations (76%), 53 km piers (73%) and about 43 km (61%) of viaduct have been completed so far. Besides, depot works at Uppal and Miyapur have been completed and precast yard works at Uppal, and pier and viaduct works is in full swing. 52 Train sets (3-car) arrived and test runs in two stretches (20 km) is on. The installation of signalling, telecom, Over Head Equipment (OHE) work at tracks is also in full swing. Recently, on the instructions of Chief Minister Shri K Chandrashekar Rao, a senior officers’ team of Telangana led by Chief Secretary Shri S P Singh inspected the Metro rail stretch from Nangole

metro station design inspired by bird (“spine and wings” concept) and cantilever structure are some of the highlights of the project. Further, the capability of precise mode eliminated the need for temporary closure/blocking of the road while erection process has also helped to execute the work at a rapid speed. The project has bagged ‘ROSPA (Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents) Gold’ award for the last 3 years. Besides, the project has also won the best Global Engineering Project of the Year 2013 award offered by the Global Infrastructure Leadership Forum at the Forum’s 6th Annual Conference held in New York.

to Begumpet (16 km) to identify the gaps, the required street level works at metro stations, feeder services, passenger security arrangements etc, so as to commission it by the middle of this year. Appreciating the footpath improvement done by HMRL at Gymkhana and Parade Grounds and the service roads, street furniture, greenery and other beautification works done by it at Uppal and Nagole stations, Chief Secretary Shri S. P. Singh has directed us to replicate such facilities at all the Metro stations in both Nagole-Begumpet stretch and Miyapur-SR Nagar stretch (11 km) so that these two Metro stretches can be opened for passengers with full-fledged facilities.

What are the latest technologies being adapted by Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited?

What are the advantages of PPP model? Is it very difficult to implement PPP mode? It is just that one needs guts and courage to carry out a PPP mode. If we have remarkable patience and willingness to do hard work, a PPP project will always be successful. We are abundant with dedicated officers who possess extraordinary skills. Further, private organisations’ flexibility, tremendous capabilities to invent and their love for advance technologies are some of the crucial elements.

How is Hyderabad Metro Rail going to help Hyderabad transform into a competitive global city? As we have said earlier, Greater Hyderabad is a mega city that covers 625 square km of municipal corporation area and 6,852 sq km of metropolitan area. It is fast emerging as the hub of IT/ Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES), biotech, pharma and tourism sectors. Its strategic geographical location, multilingual and cosmo-

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POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE / BONTHU RAMMOHAN

GHMC is incurring huge expenditure on current consumer Charges and maintenance of street lights. To reduce the expenditure on street lights, it is proposed to replace existing conventional street lights with energy efficient LEDs in GHMC, says Shri Bonthu Rammohan, HW Mayor, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), in an interview with Elets News Network (ENN).

GHMC – Working Towards

Solving City’s Real Problems 22 egov / egov.eletsonline.com / FEBRUARY 2017


BONTHU RAMMOHAN \ POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE

W

hat are the engineering initiatives undertaken by Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to improve the roads? White Topping is a new technology of providing cement concrete overlay on the existing damaged and distressed BT roads with a purpose either to restore or to increase the load carrying capacity or both, of the existing pavement and to prevent frequent damage of roads. GHMC, as an initiative, adopted the above technology and took up the pilot projects of laying 2 White Topping Cement roads on Road.No.10, Banjara Hills (1,050 meters) and PG Road Secunderabad (1,100 meters). After successful laying of these road stretches, the Government of Telangana and GHMC had formulated proposals for laying of White Topping Over Lay over BT Roads in several important stretches in the city. Accordingly, 53 roads have been prioritised for taking up White Topping Overlay over BT Roads in a phased manner. White Topping roads have a design life of 15-20 years, they do not require maintenance for about 15 years. White Topping roads along with provisions of footpaths, shoulders, storm water drain with proper camber correction and all other utility ducts are more sustainable. These have long life, low maintenance, low lifecycle cost, with improved safety and environmental benefits.

Will you also highlight your LED light project? GHMC is incurring huge expenditure on CC Charges and maintenance of street lights. To reduce the expenditure on street lights, it has proposed to replace existing conventional street lights with energy efficient LEDs in GHMC. Government of Telangana has already issued orders for implementation of energy conservation and efficiency measures in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation on annuity basis through EESL (A Joint Venture Company of PSUs of Ministry of Power, Government of India). Accordingly EESL was addressed to come forward for conclusion of agreement with smart luminaries specifications. EESL installed equipments with smart features like weather station, instant photo shoot, dimming technology and Wi-Fi etc for 12 numbers. Street lights from “Hi-tech city to

Kavuri Hills X Road via Ridge Hotel”. The LED lights and dimming technology provided by EESL is satisfactory.

Tell us the level of sensitisation that GHMC could evoke towards Swachh Bharath mission among the citizens?

Multi-level parking complex is also an ambitious project. What are your plans?

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) consists of 150 wards with the population of about 87 Lakhs and extending to a total geographical area of 625 square kilometre (sqkm). The GHMC generates about 4,500 Tonnes per Day of waste and in terms of the per capita of waste generation in the ULBs is about 0.5-0.70 kg/per day. The quantities of wastes are growing 5 to 10% annually and the collection efficiency is 100%. The overall composition of the municipal solid wastes is Organic - 50-60%, Inorganic and Recyclables 25% (paper 8.13, Plastic rubber- 9.22, Metal and Glass 1- 1.5%, Rags 4-4.5%, others- 4%) remaining inert material (20-25%). The GHMC has an Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) facility under BOOT Mechanism for processing and disposal of waste. The ISWM facility is under implementation since 2 February 2009. Until recently the waste is segregated mechanically and processed into

There is a severe parking problem, giving nightmares to tourists, as well as the frequent visitors to the old city. Starting from Afzalgunj to Charminar, there are no options left for tourists and locals to park their vehicles, except a private parking inside the Old Charminar Unani hospital. The vehicles are parked haphazardly not only causing inconvenience to the motorists but also to the pedestrians. Hence, multi-level parking complexes are proposed to fulfil the ever-increasing demand for parking facilities in the area at two locations viz, Old Pension Payment Office and Vacant Charminar RTC Depot. The multi-level parking system requires minimum space for construction. It is one of the most unique ways of parking lots of cars

The GHMC has an Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) facility under BOOT Mechanism for processing and disposal of waste. without the need for a lengthy driveway and huge space which helps in accommodating maximum cars in a limited space. Parking a car in a multi-level parking system is hassle-free for a driver as well. Since such parking systems minimise the risks of theft or vandalism, it consequently minimises the tensions of the user. One need not to worry about the car as long as it is parked. Such parking systems are very comfortable to use. Moreover, having small scale commercial establishments like shops or godowns etc in the multi-level car parking and other related necessary components wherever possible makes it commercially viable. Tenders are invited to develop a parking complex in partnership with the Concessionaire with environmentalfriendly and modern amenities and facilities on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Mode. Pre-bid meetings are in progress.

compost and RDF at I SWM Project at Jawaharnagar. Presently, about 300 Metric Tonne (MT) per day of Compost and about 1,700 MT of RDF is being sold to industries for their furnaces. GHMC is paying `678 per ton per day as a tipping-fee to Concessionaire for processing and disposal of waste. The ISWM project has planned to establish 48MW Waste to Energy (WtE) Plant but the proposal for 19.80MW is under government consideration. In GHMC area, one 11 MW power plant is being established by M/s RDF Power Projects Ltd, Bibinagar, Bhongir-Yadadri District with the capacity to process 700 MTD of waste. The plant is expected to be commissioned by June, 2017. Open defecation or urination, individual household toilets, gender-based toilet facilities, formation of self-help groups, establishing waste deposition centers for domestic hazardous waste, door to door collections of waste are some of the significant components.

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POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE / SANDESH NAYAK

JSCL-Making Jaipur Smart Jaipur Smart City Limited (JSCL) is taking up initiatives in line with the Smart City mission. For heritage conservation, two work orders amounting to `14.62 crore and `1.80 crore have been issued for conservation for heritage bazaars in walled city and adaptive reuse of Rajasthan School of Arts respectively, says Sandesh Nayak, IAS, CEO, Jaipur Smart City Ltd in conversation with Kartik Sharma of Elets News Network (ENN).

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SANDESH NAYAK \ POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE

P

lease brief us on the Jaipur Smart City Limited (JSCL).

Jaipur Smart City Limited (JSCL) is taking up projects mentioned under the Smart City Proposal (SCP), approved by the Government of India. JSCL is taking up projects independently as well as part of the convergence from line departments. We plan to integrate various civic bodies and have joined hands with Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) and Jaipur Development Authority (JDA). We have also been working with several other departments including Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation limited (JMRC), Regional Transport Office (RTO), Traffic Police, Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd (JVVNL), Jaipur Nagar Nigam (JNN), Department of Information Technology (DoIT), Ministry of Tourism, and many more. All these departments are shown in Figure 1. An activity chart is also prepared from the operational working of SPV as shown in Figure 2.

Please highlight the role of stakeholders in developing Jaipur as a smart city. Planning and project development, funding, procurement, implementation and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) are the major components required for the smart city operation. We need to coordinate with MPs, MLAs and ward councillors and pay attention to their suggestions. It is required to build a political consensus. Further assistance in financial planning and fundraising with the help of World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and other

financial institutions and consultants is sought. We have already talked about the line department and their role earlier. So, there are several activities that needs to be executed. An activity chart (Figure 2) is prepared from the operational working of SPV.

What are some of the other Fig-2: Line Department in convergence with Jaipur Smart City Ltd. initiatives which are taking place in the smart city project of Jaipur? JSCL is taking up initiatives in line with the smart city mission. For heritage conservation, two work orders amounting to `14.62 crore and 1.80 crore have been issued for conservation of heritage bazaars in walled city and adaptive reuse of Rajasthan School of Arts, respectively. A project for solar rooftop panelling has also been done amounting to Rs 81 lakhs with capacity of 100 Kilowatt Peak (KWP). We have also tendered four major bundled projects for the Area Based Development (ABD). Development of smart roads (Package 1: civil works) in ABD area of Jaipur (`167.28 crore); development of smart roads (Package 2: ICT Works) in ABD area of Jaipur (`58.84 crores), development of smart classroom in various locations in Jaipur (`90 lakhs) and development of smart solid waste sorting centre in area of Jaipur (`9.75 crores). Development of smart multi-level car parking at Anaj Mandi in ABD area of Jaipur on Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis (`30 crores) and supply, installation, commissioning and operation and maintenance of 50 e-toilets at various locations in Jaipur (`3.75 crores) are couple of other projects.

Fig-1: Stakeholders’ Role with Jaipur Smart City Limited

What kind of smart interventions these projects undertake? All the projects men-

JSCL is taking up projects for smart parking at a few identified places in the Jaipur city.

tioned above involve smart interventions. The smart roads include camera, wi-fi hotspots, Virtual Memory System (VMS), ITMS etc. The smart classroom includes biometric attendance, smartboard, tablets for students etc. The smart solid waste sorting centre is also a smart intervention with smart technology to help the Jaipur City overcome the waste sorting issue and reduce the transit cost and time. Apart from these, JSCL is taking up projects for smart parking at few identified places in the Jaipur City. A project in convergence with Department of Tourism is being taking up as Krishna Circuit which includes rejuvenation of the tourism of the Jaipur. Door to door collection (JMC), waste to energy (JMC) and 24X7 water supply in ABD area along with smart meters (PHED), etc are some other initiatives. JSCL is in constant talks with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and other industry experts for the projects as per SCP. The major challenges are retrofitting the existing city infrastructure to make it smart, financing smart city, availability of city development plan, dealing with multi-vendor environment, capacity building programme and reliability of utility services.

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POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE / DR JITENDRA KUMAR SONI

‘Project Utkarsh’ and ‘e-Gyankendra’ are the two projects which have earned Rajasthan government’s accolades. If the former project is about bringing qualitative change in mass school education via technology and quiz-based learning system, the latter, developed by Dr Jitendra Kumar Soni, IAS, District Collector and Magistrate, Jhalawar, Government of Rajasthan, is meant to facilitate and empower the community through e-learning and e-governance, examines Kartik Sharma of Elets News Network (ENN).

Transforming Learning Experience in Rajasthan

P

roject Utkarsh

Many government schools have access to technology infrastructure through various schemes, but its utilisation by teachers and students is usually quite below par. Moreover, there is no effective way for the government to track Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure usage or measure the impact on student learning outcome. The administration has planned to address underutilisation of ICT infrastructure and lack of teaching staff and student engagement through different tools and methodologies. Self learning, smart class, performance benchmarking, remote monitoring, infrastruc-

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ture improvement and increased scientific temperament are the key objectives of this project.

Result Indicators Benefits: l Build a strong learning culture by making students more curious, confident and participative l Made curriculum-based learning more engaging and playful l Collaboration with implementation agencies (e.g. government and department of education) for consistent project implementation. As part of the Project Utkarsh, we are establishing district and school level implementation model for further replication. l Established accountability and ownership

in programme implementation. l Progress through top-down implementation and empowering stakeholders with one dashboards and remote monitoring.

Key Considerations: l 127 ICT schools selected from Jhalawar District l 80+ schools have completed smart class Teachers Training l 500+ systems used for regular practice and learning l 1,000+ teachers were trained for long term capacity building l 6,000+ e-mail ids created for students l 3,000+ students of class 9th and 10th regularly using quiz academy for studies


DR JITENDRA KUMAR SONI \ POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE

l 22,000+ quizzes played from teachers and students id (online and offline) with an average of 1,500 quizzes per month l 2,000+ students participated in online/ offline formal assessment l 82.5% participation of rural area schools l Contents developed in local language l Revolutionary step for Digital India through digital empowerment

Enabler Indcators Stakeholders’ inclusiveness and participation: Formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Statement of Work (SoW) signed up among key stakeholders including roles and responsibility of each stakeholder, programme methodology and execution approach has been crucial in this regard.

Technology adaptations/ innovative deployment: Quiz Academy platform having exclusiveness and interactiveness of content in common parlance, smooth user interface, remote monitoring dashboard for real time status, offline solution for non-internet availability in schools have been important factors.

Role of leadership by way of policy support/direction Role of Hon’ble Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje has been most crucial in effective execution. Her regular review, motivation, feedback has worked as a catalyst. WhatsApp group has been made for continuous discussion and feedback by District Collector, Jhalawar. Stakeholders inclusiveness and participation: Informal meetings were held with all the stakeholders involved in the project. Users were shown power point presentation which covers various aspects of ICT technology.

the pollution because of travel less education concept.

e-Gyankendra Teachers and students across the globe can now access educational resources in their own language for free. But there is a big problem of internet access. Around two-third of the world population doesn’t have any reliable internet access and within India, the situation also not so good. This can be addressed through (semi-) offline educational-media servers which are present at the site of the educational deployment. Considered together, the immense growth in high quality Open Educational Resources (OER), recent advances in lowpower, low-cost computing, and the fall in cost of storage devices makes bridging the gap an economically feasible and scalable solution.

Proposed Solution Open Media Server based e-Gyankendra aims to bridge that gap by providing a versatile technology solution and sowing seeds of a grassroots community around it. Let’s take a sample. l Media l Connectivity l Administration l Sample Content l Wikipedia (multilingual) l TED Talks l Worldwide maps (OpenStreetMap) l Project Gutenberg (45000+ books) l Khan Academy (KA Lite) l NCERT resources (multilingual - through the NROER project) l Toys From Trash video l Any other open-licensed content

Web Apps LMS - Moodle Local Social Network - Elgg Wiki - Dokuwiki Book Server - Pathagar Collaboration - Jabber Any other open-licensed web-app Personal use

Digital inclusion: User friendly application is made available in local Hindi language. Capacity building of all stakeholders is done through review meetings, informal gathering, power point presentation etc.

l l l l l l l

Green e-governance

Creates a home Wi-Fi network

It is an environment-friendly application because it provides paperless education on the concept of e-books. It is also helpful in lowering

l School use (Personal use features) l MManages the LAN

Value Indicators

If there is limited internet connectivity available: l Becomes the Gateway l MProvides content filtering l MOptimizes bandwidth usage l MRemote debugging and deployment through VPN

Village network use (School use features) l Wide area Wi-Fi network meshes l MDeployment l MBuilt on next generation technology l MWeb-console for push-button deployment and management of content and services

Analytics l Content access analytics - AwStats l MServer diagnostics - Munin l MAdmin console - Cockpit

Hardware options l Low end - Raspberry Pi l MMid to High end - Intel NUC, and most other generic computers and servers

Need for the Initiative In the present era of digitisation, relevance and importance of Internet cannot be under-rated but affordability, availability, security and consistency are also key aspects. The solution of open media server based e-Gyankendra is an effort to create an ecosystem for community empowerment and smart-citizen though digital learning leveraging open source technology and providing free access to best of the open source digital content for local community without internet-dependency. The solution also supports ‘Digital India’ mission through awareness, alignment and active participation of the community. It provides a future path for digital Value Added Services (VAS) like information centre for latest government schemes and serves as a knowledge hub for various learner and intellectual groups. Monitoring, reporting and student engagement, maintenance support and usage data report are also some of the objectives.

Conceptualisation Conceptualised and developed under the guidance of district administration of Jhalawar,

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POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE / DR JITENDRA KUMAR SONI

e-Gyankendra has pre-loaded open source content on open media server comprising e-books, educational videos, animation, simulation, quiz academy app, government schemes, forms, details etc. Open media server (OM Server) empowers users to access preloaded content on wi-fi enabled device (tablet/mobile/laptop/ computer etc) without Internet dependency. Content can be periodically updated as well. First e-Gyankendra of Rajasthan has been set-up in Sunel Panchayat Samiti campus of Jhalawar district. Current set up gives access within 1.5 km of radius. To facilitate the local community, a laboratory of five tablets has also been established in Panchayat Samiti campus. Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje inaugurated this e-Gyankendra in July, 2016 and dedicated it to the public.

Key Features of e-Gyankendra Best of the knowledge content: e-Gyankendra can host and support open media content in the form of video, docs, PDF, animation, images etc. It has been tried to compile, curate and host best of the knowledge content especially of Indian context. There is around 1 Tera Byte data which includes: l Wikipedia (multilingual) l Quiz Academy (www.quizacademy.org l TED Talks l Worldwide maps (OpenStreetMap) l Project Gutenberg (45,000+ books) l Khan Academy (KA Lite) l NCERT resources (multilingual - through the NROER project) l Toys From Trash video l Any other open-licensed content Ecosystem for e-Governance: Most of the relevant and important information related to government schemes, forms and application of various departments and other e-Governance related content has been included. It can be periodically updated. Free Access: Content available on e-Gyankendra can be accessed by anybody through wi-fi device (smartphone, tablet, laptop, computer etc.) within the network and will be always be free. Network Coverage: Setting up routers and access point at important places. Most of the part of Sunel village has been covered through wi-fi mesh network to provide smooth access to community.

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Monitoring of Data Usage: Monitoring of data usage, student and community engagement can be done and periodical report can be generated.

Key Steps involved l Aligning District Information Officer and National Informatics Centre teams for location identification l Location visit, feasibility study around access, density, status of civil construction, availability of basic infrastructure etc. and finalisation of location l Setting up knowledge server at mutually identified locations l Customisation and configuration including local branding and network conventions l Wi-Fi network set up with adequate access point providing accessibility to surrounding community l Server and wi-fi network mesh testing l On-site staff training to manage and administer the set up l Monitoring, reporting and student engagement, maintenance support and usage data report l Benefits to various stakeholders (Result Indicators)

Students Students are the most important beneficiary of e-Gyankendra who can access important content of their course curriculum e.g. NCERT books, quiz academy content, science video and simulation, Khan Academy etc. It not only creates ecosystem for technology-based quality education but also supports digital empowerment and skill development of students. Wi-fi network provides access of e-Gyankendra content in ICT lab of nearby two government ICT Schools where students can get direct benefit and students of other school access it through their personal wi-fi device or visit e-Gyankendra lab established in Panchayat Samiti campus.

Local Community Hotspot zone has been created through deployment of access point and routers in important public area e.g. bus stand, hospital, schools, banks, main market etc so that local residents of Sunel village can access e-governance ser-

vices through Wi-Fi device without using internet bandwidth.

Career Aspirants: Young generation planning career in government jobs, higher study etc prepare for competitive exams leveraging e-Gyankendra specially National Repository of Open Educational Resources (NROER) content, NCERT books, TED talks, and Quiz Academy etc.

Local Administration and Elected Representatives: For local administration and elected representative, e-Gyankendra is useful in two ways. First it supports them to contribute in central government initiative ‘Digital India Mission’ and secondly it smoothens the e-governance process by providing all information about government schemes (e.g. Mukhyamantri Jal Svavlamnan Abhiyan, Swachh Bharat Mission, e-Mitra related information) and various forms and application.

Future Scope Looking towards various benefits of e-Gyankendra, it can be further expanded in the following manner; Establishment of e-Gyankendra in every block: District administration can plan to set-up e-Gyankendra in every block of Jhalawar district through local community support Path for digital value added services: Other value added services in the field of agriculture, tourism, higher education, skill development, employability enhancement etc can be included in the near future. Digital Empowerment: Government Hostels, Kasturba Gandhi Hostels, Tribal hostels and other residential schools where digital accessibility is limited, e-Gyankendra may be an ideal platform for digital empowerment. “e-Gyankendra is a revolutionary step for digital empowerment, knowledge dissemination and e-governance with minimal dependency on internet. It is a highly impactful initiative in those areas where accessibility, availability and affordability of internet services is limited.” “e-Gyankendra’s digital value-added services can also be useful in tourism, agriculture, higher education, skill development, employability enhancement etc.”


AMRAPALI KATA \ POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE

Warangal’s Development on Fast Track Warangal district is on the road to development by ensuring physical infrastructure, attracting private economic growth generators and augmenting social change, says Amrapali Kata, IAS, District Collector, Warangal, Telangana, in an interview with Sudheer Goutham and Harshal Desai of Elets News Network (ENN). Excerpts:

H

ow is your administration driving the overall development in the district? Can you share with us top five prominent issues on your agenda?

With the formation of new districts, the focus is on bringing administration closer to people, and also to ensure development based on micro planning. There are several issues that we have prioritised for Warangal. We would like to develop the district as an hub by ensuring establishment of new educational institutions and providing the requisite physical, social and cultural infrastructure to support existing institutions. We also want Warangal district to be known as a tourist hub. We aim at positioning Warangal in national and international markets and highlight its rich cultural heritage. Further, we also want to kick-start development of Warangal city by ensuring physical infrastructure, attracting private economic growth generators and augmenting social change. Besides, strengthening and supporting the district’s existing position as the largest supplier of healthcare facilities in Telangana outside Hyderabad by improving government facilities and attracting private investment is also on our agenda. We will also like to ensure access to markets and information to not only all farmers in the district but also to the farmers from 10 surrounding districts who come to agriculture market yard at Warangal.

How successful and significant was the programme on cashless

transaction held under your supervision in the district? What is your view about demonetisation? In a city like Warangal - with its large percentage of young student population - the drive was on two fronts - one, to ensure all points of sales provided alternates to cash through Point of Sales (POS) swiping devices and smart phone enabled services, and two, to ensure all users are educated and motivated to shift to smartphone-based solution. This was done through various stakeholder level meets, college, workshops, etc. In a rural setting, demonetisation is restricted by technology which unfortunately is yet to catch up with our vision. Our drive was largely focused on ensuring financial inclusion and tying up the loose ends. We are willing to ensure that every citizen has an active bank account and ATM card which is linked to his/her Aadhaar and mobile number. With the limitation of smartphone and internet usage in villages, one cannot just depend on mobile apps.

How has been the public response towards your appeal to keep Warangal clean? Please elaborate on the Swachhata App as well. Warangal has been very responsive with respect to download and usage of the Swachhata App. We have managed to get 5,500 downloads (and still counting). Citizens can use the App to take photos and upload complaints and it is delightful that we have a disposal of near 100 per cent in these cases.

How much successful you have been in brining improvement in the education and healthcare institutes within the city? We have focused on tying up resources for basic minimum facilities for schools. Efforts are also being made to raise funds through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). This is indeed an area where we need some investment. Over the next month, all schools in Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation (GWMC) will have basic minimum facilities. We are ensuring every possible effort to improve the quality of education. We are also ensuring college students in the city are involved in the development of the district through active involvement of National Service Scheme (NSS) and various other means. As far as health sector is concerned, we are focusing a lot on improving Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) with a drive towards maternal health and institutional deliveries. Further, upgradation of tertiary government healthcare institutions is also being undertaken.

What initiatives have been put in place to help farmers? We have been encouraging horticulture growth around the city to ensure the city’s needs are met locally as much as possible. Designing cropping clusters based on soil, water availability and access to markets, strengthening existing markets and tying up market chains, and encouraging and supporting investment in agro processing and storage units are some of the initiatives we have undertaken for farmers.

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POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE / C N RAGHU PRASAD

GHMC Going Digital Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has initiated several activities and efforts towards digitisation which includes implementation of e-office system by computerising all the records, grievance redressal system through mobile app and online system, says C N Raghu Prasad, Zonal Commissioner - East Zone, GHMC in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).

W

hat are the major challenges GHMC is facing ?

The main challenge a Municipal Commissioner face is the maintenance of the basic functions of civic body which includes sanitation, sewerage maintenance, water supply and sustainability of the assets created by the local body.

Please brief us on the initiatives undertaken by GHMC in recent years? In recent years, the corporation has initiated several activities and efforts towards digitisation which includes implementation of e-office system by computerising all the records, grievance redressal system through mobile app and online system, issue of building permissions through Development Permission Management System (DPMS) and online disposal system of layout regularisation schemeamong others.

Please tell us about the clean city campaign of GHMC. For the last one year, we have focussed more on the clean city campaign. Two bins are given to every household in the entire GHMC limit for the collection of garbage at source as dry and wet. The existing system of door-to-door garbage collection

with tricycles is replaced with auto tippers. Awareness camps are organised and 100 per cent door-to-door collection with segregation is made possible. The existing Garbage Vulnerable Points (GVP) – about 265 in numbers - in the east zone are eliminated by increasing the transfer stations to four places so that the garbage collection at the door level can directly go to the transfer stations and from there to the Jawaharnagar dumping site. Appointing the local shopkeepers/residents at these GVPs as Swachh Sevaks; decorating these GVPs with Muggu and wall paintings, plantations etc. Celebrating various festivals like Diwali, Bathukamma, Sankranti etc, and practicing “Gandhigiri” are some of the initiatives taken to eliminate these GVPs. Further, to make the city open defecation free, 30 pre fabricated toilets have been installed at the

Open Defecation Spots (ODF) under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM). Further, individual house hold toilets are sanctioned to 417 eligible beneficiaries. Twenty five public toilets under the Build Operate Transfer (BOT) made and community toilets are already functioning in the east zone. There are 158 parks existing in the east zone which includes major parks, theme parks, biodiversity parks, colony parks and tree parks etc. In every park, we have made provision of onsite composting, rain water harvesting structures. Maintenance of colony parks is given to CWA’s by sharing the cost at 75:25 ratio. Indoor shuttle stadium with `1.2 crore is being constructed in Uppal Circle and 65 open grounds are tied up with the schools for usage so that revenue is increased on one side and unused grounds are made functional, and the sports activity in the schools is encouraged on the other side.

We’ve also identified seven slums for construction of double bedrooms in the east zone. Till January 2017, `110 crores were collected ,which is about 60 per cent growth over previous year. In the trade license we have so far collected `6.10 crores, a growth of about 90 per cent over the previous year.

Which special schemes have you launched for people living below poverty line ? For the welfare of poor, several activities such as bank linkage to self-help groups for an amount of `54 crores have been given so far in the Financial Year 2016-17. Night shelter at two places are functioning for homeless. Pensions to the old age widow and the disabled persons are being distributed every month promptly. For the welfare of senior citizens, aasara committees are formed and their activities are being monitoried in 25 centres in east zone.

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POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE / O P CHAUDHARY

Raipur-Going Digital

The Smart Way The Right to Education Act in Chhattisgarh has been digitised so that students from the below poverty line (BPL) can directly avail its benefits, says O P Chaudhary, IAS, Collector, Raipur, in conversation with Arpit Gupta of Elets News Network (ENN). Excerpts:

W

hat initiatives have you taken for Raipur city’s development?

Raipur is an emerging and one of the fastest growing cities. It has a central location and we are developing it as an economically vibrant city. We are trying to convert it into an educational and youth hub. In 2000, when Chhattisgarh was created there was not any big educational institution here. Today, we have IIT, IIM, IIT, AIIMS, NIT. We’re introducing yoga-related activities. We also have initiated fitness- based programmes. We are trying to upgrade the existing infrastructure. We are trying to provide digital services to our citizens. I strongly believe that New Raipur will become a second Smart City in coming days. All our programmes are Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) -based. We will provide all the services digitally in a smart way. We are also trying to cultivate ‘smart’ culture among our citizens.

What are the major challenges you face in the region especially in the Left Wing Extremism areas? The major problem in the Naxalite region is high rate of dropout students. At least 50 % of the children are not going to schools there. We commenced a special scheme of permanent residential school which went on to become a major success story of that region. A total of 44 residential schools are working and 17,000

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O P CHAUDHARY \ POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE

students are being educated in these schools. We work in accordance with the practical problems. Proper mapping of dropout children around the villages of Pota schools in Left Wing Extremism affected is done. Initially, tribals were apprehensive in sending their children to these Pota schools. So, we engaged the local tribal youth to create awareness amongst the parents in getting their children enrolled in the schools. They used to visit local villages, Haats, bazars and use to converse with them in their native language. They were able to convince parents effectively. When three to four of such model Pota schools became a hit amongst residents, the demand for such schools grew exponentially. I strongly believe involvement of locals is necessary, using the local dialect is necessary and showcasing successful model is also the need of the hour.

Please give a brief about the initiatives you have started in Left Wing Extremism Effected states ? We launched solar power education project so that we can win public trust, especially in education sector. We wanted to create a state of the art programme. We created 13 educational institutions in an area of 100 acres with an investment of `140 crore. Now more than 5,000 students are being educated there. The whole complex has indoor and outdoor stadiums, auditoriums etc. We created a demonstration effect of what exactly is quality education so that Bastar Dantewada students can know the kind of educational programmes which are available for them. At the time of admissions in July, there are one-kilometer lines for admissions. Students here are preparing even for IAS exams. Students have reached the level of becoming officers and engineers. When such people visit their respective region, it creates a positive impact on other people as well. It has the power to create a social change. Another initiative, ‘Tamanna’, has been implemented after observing that the children in this part of the world lack even basic exposure. Under the project, a science museum, district library, and a state-of-the-art audio-visual theatre were set up, with a view to broaden the horizons of all students in the district. Tamanna Film Festivals were conducted where students from far off villages vis-

ited every day by buses deployed by the administration. It has led to exposure visits of over 13,000 students in 2011-12, with more than 3,000 students being sent to places like Raipur, Vishakhapatnam, by Tamanna Express. In 2012-13, this figure has already crossed 17,000. Another initiative is ‘Choolo Aasman’. Under this scheme, two coaching centres have been built where the district’s brightest students are taught by teachers from Kota, Rajasthan. Livelihood College is a college for those youth who did not have any formal education. It provides residential facility on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. Admissions are open to all regardless of educational qualification, any income or caste criteria. Reputed organisations like IL&FS, IndiaCan, Tomorrow‘s Foundation, Cap Foundation, ISAP, ESAB, have been brought under the same umbrella to impart skill education to the youth. There is a provision for practical and classroom training in over 25 different trades and further linkages for placement with industries across India. Two types of trades have been focused upon: emerging market trends (hospitality, industrial stitching, sales, tally etc.) and to improve local skill deficit (plumber, electrician, mason, solar panel establishment and maintenance, mobile repairing etc.

What is your evaluation of e-payments? I am witnessing a lot of change after demonetisation. Transactions have increased through common service centres. Smartphone using generation is even using Aadhaar-enabled services. These digital payment options are very easy to use without bothering to carry the cash. This is the need of the hour and it is surely going to be more successful.

What has been the public response to the digital payment mode in Raipur? New Raipur is based on this digital concept only. Chamber of Commerce helped us in a big way. Even small shopkeepers are using e-wallets to take payments from the customers. Some are using United Payment Interface as well. We are focusing on making digital payments systems. We have introduced onlinebased Right to Education Act here. Earlier, we had witnessed that 25% of the reserved seats for children belonging to below poverty line were not fully utilised. We have now digitised the whole system so that such loopholes could be plugged in. We have tried to make a transparent system. Database of all the schools and children studying there have been made available online. Technology has the power to change the current system.

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POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE / DR B JANARDHAN REDDY

GHMC Making

Hyderabad a Global City

Hyderabad, the fastest growing city of India with over 1 crore population in its limits, is governed by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) which is the second largest corporation of India. Dr B Janardhan Reddy, IAS, Municipal Commissioner, GHMC gives insights on how the civic body could fare well in the overall inclusive governance, self reliance and transparency in an interaction with Sudheer Goutham of Elets News Network (ENN).

G

HMC has been ranked as the number one Municipal Corporation in terms of transparency, online transactions and other digital initiatives. How did you achieve this position?

MyGHMC App has been very crucial here. The app is liked by citizens of Hyderabad and a large number of people have downloaded the applications and are making the best of it. The app has been able to reduce the time spent in Various physical processes. People can report various issues through the app by clicking photographs. Our grievance redressal system is now app based. So, as far as operations and maintenance issues are concerned, about 95 per cent of the issues are addressed within 24 hours. Further, we have also made the process of seeking a couple of permissions online. These initiatives have helped us eliminate the need for

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DR B JANARDHAN REDDY \ POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE

middlemen and increase transparency in the functions.

GHMC is the second largest Municipal Corporation in India. How is the corporation dealing with grievances of citizens? Keep City Running (KCR) is the basic principal for the development of a city. Asset creation can be made but maintenance is an important factor to get the city running. We receive over 600 grievances complaints each day, i.e, 18,000 complaints every month. GHMC has grievance redressal system that runs through multiple modes—social media, Twitter, Facebook , Praja Vani- Live TV show interaction resolving the public grievances and face to face interaction. Grievance redressal forum close the complaint once it is resolved. If it’s not resolved the complaint is reopened and redressal process is taken up. If the issue continuous to remain, it will be escalated to a higher officer. This system is working well.

GHMC has also undertaken the Swachh Hyderabad Mission very sincerely and you have personally ensured that the mission achieves significant results. Please share your views. Waste segregation is very crucial to keep a city clean and pollution free. We have made efforts

nating the need to get loans from moneylenders. The model has ensured 95 per cent repayment to the banks. Whatever loans they are taking, they are able to pay 95 per cent. Since they are repaying, they are able to get more money.

What is so unique about “unite the family, divide the waste’ concept? Dividing the waste and recycling is which is widely practiced worldwide, especially in developed countries. But even in these countries, there is one thing which is very worrying

We have made efforts and fortunately, achieved 98 per cent waste segregation with the help of 2,000 autos with segregator compartments to separate dry and wet waste. and fortunately achieved 98 per cent waste segregation with the help of 2,000 autos with segregator compartments to separate dry and wet waste. We also practiced “Gandhigiri” to spread awareness on the importance of keep ingour city clean.

Throw some light on the measures taken for poverty alleviation in GHMC that has ensured remarkable results? We have made efforts to open banks accounts for urban poor and also ensured mechanism where they can take loans from the banks directly, elimi-

– 50 per cent of the children are troubled due to divorces. So from them we can adopt how to segregate waste while from us (Indians) they can learn to keep their families united.

Will you please throw some light on the Strategic Road Development Plan (SRDP)? In order to plan and develop future transport system for Hyderabad a comprehensive study , was undertaken with the help of Local Education Authority (LEA) Associates. As an outcome of this study conducted over a period

of three years by collecting extensive data on social economic and travel characteristics of the resident and floating populations in Hyderabad and its surroundings in HMDA jurisdiction, a long term transportation plan was evolved. On the basis of critical evaluations of the present levels of traffic loads and the congestions being experienced in Hyderabad, SRDP was identified to provide relief to the traffic problem. Closely spaced traffic junctions are the major cause of delay in journey, for providing continuous traffic movements SRDP with a conflict free road network is planned.

We would also like to know about the functions of Health Wing? Will you please elaborate? As an established practice everywhere, the civic authority is responsible for providing all the civic amenities to the urban citizen and maintenance of public health through conservancy is vital towards achievement of this goal. The functions include Swachh Telangana and Swachh Hyderabad under the aegis of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, conservancy through better solid waste management – introduction of clean auto tipper driver cum owner scheme, distribution of dustbins to segregate the dry and solid waste source, establishing Urban Health Centres, improving the convenience for public for obtaining the birth and death certificate, Swachh App initiatives, providing subsidised food scheme at `5 for the unprivileged sections of the society and use of mix and manual mechanised sweeping, are some of the major initiatives.

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PSU LEADERS’ PERSPECTIVE / M NAGARAJ

PEC—Aspiring to Be On Top

PEC as a premier international trading company makes significant contribution to Make in India programme by sourcing raw material for the manufacturing sector, said M Nagaraj, Chairman-cumManaging Director, PEC Limited, a Government of India enterprise under Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in a special interview with Souvik Goswami of Elets News Network (ENN).

P

What is PEC’s present line of businesses? SUs lease give us an overview of

PEC Limited. PEC Limited (formerly known as The Projects and Equipments Corporation of India Ltd till 1997), originally an engineering wing of STC was incorporated as ‘The Project and Equipment Corporation of India Limited’ on 21 April, 1971 under the aegis of Ministry of Commerce, Government of India. PEC in its early years of inception specialised in export of railway equipment, engineering equipments and turn key projects. With the spread of globalisation, PEC diversified into trading of agro commodities, industrial raw materials etc.

In programmes like Make in India, Digital India, Skill India, Swachh Bharat launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Government, where does PEC stand as a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU)? PEC has been contributing to the energy requirement of the country by installing solar equipment in the premises of various government bodies. PEC as a premier international trading company makes significant contribution

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to Make in India programme by sourcing raw material requirements of manufacturing sector. Skill development programme has been implemented by PEC under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. As a part of the Swachh Bharat Mission, PEC had constructed two toilet complexes in the NCR region.

PEC’s present line of business includes: l Turnkey projects in food processing, electrical transmission and industrial plants in African, Asian and Latin American countries. l Export of engineering equipment, medical equipments to various countries. l Implementation of solar projects for various state and central government agencies. l Import of Bullion. l Trading in agro commodities. l Import of edible oil and pulses catering to public distribution system of various state governments. l Import of industrial raw materials for manufacturing sector.

Not many people are aware about the kind of significant role the PSUs play, especially towards ensuring national development and country’s economic growth, can you throw some light on how exactly PSUs are helping the country’s economic growth? PSUs are vital for maintaining the economic growth of the country and steering the nation’s economy in the right direction. PSUs provide a vital link to the government to intervene in the economy either directly or indirectly to achieve the desired socio-economic objectives. The government owned PSUs rise above the short-term commercial interest to invest in local assets and resources to achieve long term economic gains.



REAL ESTATE PERSPECTIVE / C SHEKAR REDDY

Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI) has become a household name with presence in 23 States, says C Shekar Reddy, former National President, CREDAI, and Chief Managing Director - CSR Estates Ltd, and Chairman – Indian Green Building Council, Hyderabad, in conversation with Team Elets News Network (ENN).

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C SHEKAR REDDY \ REAL ESTATE PERSPECTIVE

H

ow CREDAI has made its impact on the growth of real estate sector in the country?

Throughout my association with CREDAI and several other real estate bodies, I have always tried to ensure that the real estate sector gets a good image and we, as a real estate body, always deliver good quality products within stipulated time frame. We have focused on skill development and implementation of advanced construction technologies in our projects. CREDAI has always encouraged its employees to go and attend conferences at different places to learn the best practices. We take our people to various places every year and it has given our developers a lot of exposure.

How do you rate Indian developers? Indian developers today are among the best in the world. Twenty years ago there was no organised body in the country. However, with the formation of CREDAI, we have tried to bring the global expertise to Indian developers and educate them on everything which is necessary to develop excellent sustainable structures in the country. I must say that we have succeeded in our endeavour. Our code of conduct is the backbone of our success. Any member who joins the forum needs to sign the code of conduct. We ensure that all the developers (we have more than 12,000 developers in the country) are on the same page and no one deviates from the common goal. Our speedy communication network is another important thing. CREDAI circulates important facts and information among all its members immediately so that no one remains ignorant. It is our strict and fair rules, regulations and self enforcement that earned us immense accolades. Even the Planning Commission of India acknowledged our efforts and considered us a respectable body, and allowed us to be a member in the steering committee of the commission. Today, CREDAI has become a household name with presence in 23 states. Our officials are invited in discussions, on various platforms around the country.

Will you also brief us on the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities undertaken by CREDAI? We have been doing a lot of CSR activities around the country which includes restoring heritage structures and clean city programmes - including solid waste management activities. We also organise skill development programmes. CREDAI forayed into the arena of skilling sector with its state of the art training programme ‘Kushal’ in 2011 through its Pune chapter in collaboration with National Skills Development Council. Since then, CREDAI is conducting regular on-site training programmes for construction workers at construction sites through its member developers spread across 23 States and 162 city chapters.

How does CREDAI play an important role in ensuring good policies for the real estate sector in the country? Please share your views on

prices built up area and they should, correspondingly, reduce the registration charges. The registration charges are currently 6.5 per cent, but it should be reduced to 3 per cent. Our dream is to bring Easy Monthly Installment (EMI) as low as the monthly rent we pay for accommodation. The demonetisation move has helped in several ways. A huge amount has been deposited in the banks and as a result the interest rate has come down. So, it is indeed a good thing, but at the same time taxation issues need to be resolved. The ease of doing business needs to be streamlined on national, state and local levels. We also need to promote digitisation in the real estate sector. We need a system where we can get various permissions pertaining to the real estate and housing online.

What are your views on exempting affordable housing from service tax? For Economically Weaker Section (EWS) service tax is already exempted. We hope the

Our code of conduct is the backbone of our success. Any member who joins the forum needs to sign the code of conduct. We ensure that all the developers are on the same page and no one deviates from the common goal. demonetisation as well. We always try to convey our point when it comes to regulations and policy drafting. As I mentioned, we are active at all levels – from small municipalities to metro cities, and from State level to the central government level. Every year, we organise a conclave on policy before the budget session where we invite all the key policymakers. We convey our concerns to policymakers and share facts and figures which help them draft effective policies for the sector. In our endeavour, we always try to ensure that Indians should have affordable and better housing schemes and infrastructure. There is a gap between the sub registrar valuation of the land, the built up area and the property sold in the market. This gap should be minimised. They should encourage land

Government of India will exempt service tax or GST for the affordable housing as well. We also request the state government to have a similar policy for affordable housing. We are also requesting the banks to give loans on lower interests so that the cost of affordable housing comes down further. So, the Government of India, state governments and banks – all will have to come together to make the dream of affordable housing successful throughout the country. The government of Telangana is already doing a great job by offering affordable two bedroom flats to people. However, we request government to allow private players to contribute to the initiative of affordable housing to people. I strongly believe that all the slumps can be eradicated if the stakeholders come together.

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GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP

Denmark Keen to Help in Indian Water Sector Looking to unlock immense potential of the Indian water sector, Danish companies seek to participate in the development of smart solutions for Indian cities, a report by Elets News Network (ENN).

D

enmark has expressed interest in creating an Indian water sector and discover the business potential India holds. This was revealed as leading Danish water technology companies joined the business delegation led by Minister of Energy, Utilities and Climate of Denmark Lars Christian Lilleholt at the 8th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit held in January. Speaking during the inaugural session in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Danish minister extended offer to collaborate with Indian smart cities for developmental projects. Kamstrup, a leading supplier of energy and water metering solutions, was part of the Danish business delegation hosted by the Danish Embassy in India, Danish Ministry of Foreign

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Affairs and Confederation of Danish Industry, strongly supporting the visiting minister’s agenda of building smart and liveable cities in India. “We are excited to partner with India to discover the varied business potential this diverse country has,” stated Lilleholt who also held meetings with Prime Minister Modi and the Urban Development Ministry to define the roadmap for India-Danish relations and highlighted expertise of Danish companies. Speaking on the occasion, Suneel Bhambere, Country Manager, Kamstrup India, said distinguished nations perceive India as a preferred investment destination and “it is very encouraging for us to see global leaders coming on a platform showing trust in the policy reforms that the Government of India has initiated”. “Kamstrup sees itself at the forefront of smart cities bridging the gap between the high

demand and technical expertise in the water sector to Indian smart cities,” he added. Kamstrup’s water solutions have reduced nonrevenue water with more than 50% in several projects, allowing a step-wise implementation. “More than 25 years of experience in smart water metering allows us to help utilities to reduce their energy bill, non-revenue water level as well as automating their work process in a very cost effective way. Our presence in India has already resulted in 10 folds of projects where we help water utilities to utilise the benefit of intelligent water metering,” said Senior Vice President Jesper Daugaard. The collaboration with experienced Danish technology experts will bring many possibilities to develop smart cities in India and Kamstrup is anticipating to be the intelligent metering partner for them.


KARNATAKA CO-OPERATIVE SUMMIT 23 FEBRUARY BENGALURU

HOST PARTNERS

CONFERENCE AWARDS EXPO

About the Summit An interactive platform for solution providers to exchange with the Who’s Who of the Karnataka Cooperative Sector. The Cooperative Banking Sector – having a history of more than 100 years in the country –is an important constituent of the financial system in India today. Some of the cooperative banks are quite forward looking and have developed sufficient core competencies, However, the sector is trying to understand and recover from the demonetisation-effect.

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SPEAKING

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Highlights of Elets Cooperative Summits so far

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POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE

In one of its kind services, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has started a social bonding initiative that will cope up with urban solid waste of the city. Dr B Janardhan Reddy, IAS, Commissioner, GHMC and Raghu Ram Goud, Consultant, Swachh Bharat Mission, National PMU KPMG reveal various initiatives of the municipal corporation to Elets News Network (ENN).

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POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE

S

olid Waste Management (SWM) is a growing concern for city administrations nowadays. Cities are struggling to cope up with the increasing magnitude of the urban solid waste. With factors like increasing population, affluence and enhanced quality of life, the consumption pattern in urban areas has grown exponentially. As a result, urban solid waste is increasing exponentially. The unscientific disposal of solid waste is giving rise to serious public health and environmental consequences. In view of the facilities like health, education, employment, recreation, etc.,

a turnaround to upkeep city in recent years. These efforts coincide with “Swachh Bharath Mission” initiatives of the Government of India. However, with the keenly extended support of the state government, Hyderabad administration has moved an extra mile. Initiatives like distribution of twin dustbins to about 21 lakh households, putting in 2,000 auto tippers brought swiftness in garbage lifting process both in terms of quantity and frequency, creation and refurbishing 21 temporary transfer stations all around the city, phasing out obsolete vehicles, reforms in transport section, etc are some of the revolutionary steps that are unparallel in any other city of the country in recent times.

and helped them to become real partners in the cleanliness initiative. Despite all these, there is one area of concern and that is lack of citizen initiative in “segregation of waste into wet and dry at the source”, i.e., at the level of household. Unless it is achieved there is no hope to reduce the quantum of disposal. For this to be achieved involvement of citizens is required. Even at the launch of “Swachh Bharath Mission” in October 2014, it was specifically mentioned that unless this becomes the “Citizen Movement”, the mere initiatives from the government would not help in achieving the cleanliness objectives. Then how to involve the citizen as a major stakeholder is a moot point. Information, education and

the cities continue to attract inward migration. Hitherto it was considered that the basic concern of the city administration is to increase its physical infrastructure like water, power, transport, etc. Now, it is felt that scientific management of urban solid waste is equally important as its indiscriminate disposal on city outskirts is no longer sustainable. With the growing health and environmental concerns, the SWM assumed new importance. The city administration of GHMC under the stewardship of Dr B Janardhan Reddy, IAS, has left no stone unturned in its efforts to bring about

All these efforts resulted in increased quantity of waste disposal as the average transportation is increased from 3,400 Metric Ton per day to 4,500 Metric tonne . Besides, there is drastic reduction in the number of dustbins on city roads. Efforts like colourful painting of city wall some of which are known earlier for their stinky environs, elimination of Garbage Vulnerable Points (GVPs) that are the places where people used to dispose garbage and sustaining them through efforts like cleaning, tree plantation, depiction of Rangoli with colourful theme have caught t he attention of common citizens

communication are the primary tools to reach out to the maximum stakeholders on a sustainable basis. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has chosen the right plank of seeming ly un-relevant, but rather strikingly relevant concept of “Unite the Families and Divide the Waste”.

How is the concept relevant? The theme definitely caught the attention of common citizens as whoever listen it will sure ponder over and try to find the relevance between the two objectives. For many, it was dif-

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POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE

A UN report on the marital discord in some of the countries Ranking Countries Divorce Rate/1000 1 Belgium 71 2 Portugal 68 3 Hungary 67 4 Czech Republic 66 5 Spain 61 6 Luxembourg 60 7 Estonia 58 8 Cuba 56 9 France 55 10 United States 53 13 Russia 51 15 Germany 49 24 United Kingdom 47 28 EuropeanUnion 44 30 Australia 43 41 Japan 36 47 China 30 51 Singapore 28 85 Ireland 13 100 Sri Lanka 2.9 101 India 1.3 ficult to find the connection and naturally there were murmurs that the GHMC is venturing into irrrelevant fields. But through a series of press meetings, radio talks and television shows, Dr B Janardhan Reddy, GHMC Commissioner, has made use of his oratory skills and elucidated the uncanny connection between the two. With the globalisation, the world has become a global village! The communication revolution eliminated the information gap between the youth across the globe, and now they are able to interact with their acquaintances anywhere on the globe on real time basis. Thus, there is a growing trend among some sections of the society, especially the youth, to ape western lifestyles, attitude and western way of life. Coupled with this, the growth of service sector in India helped the urban citizens with increased employment opportunities – both for men and women. Consequently, the age old tradition of “Joint Family” system has given way to nuclear families. With changing personal priorities, cultural values, changed lifestyles, the youth in the cities, especially the young working families are facing a distress. We hear several news about people resorting to suicides or divorce on the flimsiest grounds like work pressure, professional failures,

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lack of accommodation, to respect each other’s perceptions etc. The GHMC is striving to transform Hyderabad into a world class city. For this it needs to be the most livable and inclusive city!. Increased investment in physical infrastructure alone would not help in bringing the peace and amity among the society. The distress at the basic unit of the society i.e. family needs to be addressed first. The separation of families will leave the children in real distress and affect their overall development. This does not augur well for an aspiring city. Here lies the link between uniting families and separation of waste, as both are inimical to the growth and development of a city into a global/world class/inclusive/livable city. Apart from highlighting these core essentials, the concept has come in handy for the commissioner, GHMC to drive home a point and impress upon the citizens to give a thought to these two core essentials. A mammoth ceremony organised on 25 January 2017 in Hyderabad’s famous cultural centre “Ravindra Bharathi”, where about 158 estranged couples were brought to one platform with proper counseling and

modern married life has become mechanical where people have become highly ambitious. Everybody wants to earn more but they are not able to manage time adequately, hence everything becomes unorganized, which ultimately results in either tensed marital life or divorced life. Due to this many developed nations have higher number of orphans. The holistic innovation of uniting the family is taken by the commissioner of GHMC for socialistic pattern of the society, defining the basic creation of social gain and the pattern of development which will structure the socioeconomic relationship. It is so planned that not only results in uplifting family socio-economic status but also greater stability of the society by uniting the family members. In Indian context family is the most important primary group in society, and larger families are still prevalent in many part of the country. Family and marriage are considered to be the two pillars of Indian society and in India, traditionally and from time immemorial, marriage has been hallowed as sacred. Once the couple enters into the bond

helped them to reunite has made a news headline and helped in bringing the real objectives to the drawing table of citizens of Hyderabad. Marriage is one of the most important occasions in a lifetime, a serious commitment. This engagement between a man and woman is a promise of love during both difficult and happy times. Both have obligations towards one another as well as rights. Marriage is essential for the propagation of humanity. The

of marriage, the relationship is considered perpetual till death do them apart. What distinguished marriage in India from marriage in the west world was the sanctity attached to marriage. A sense of perpetual bonding and an element of divinity in it. In India the divorce rate is very low when compared to western world however in recent time the divorce rate is growing at alarming rate.


POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE

Divide the Waste Divide or Separate the waste to protect the environment before it is late.. The World Bank defines municipal solid waste as including ‘non-hazardous waste generated in households, commercial and business establishments, institutions, and nonhazardous industrial process wastes, agricultural wastes and sewage sludge. Segregation of waste is the first and most important step in waste management and environment preservation. It allows for better disposal of waste and encourages more recycling and reuse of matter. Lack of segregation is the root cause of clogged landfills, blocked drains, soil and water pollution and can hinder the entire process of waste disposal, recycling and reuse. In India, cities generates about 4.2 million tonnes of solid waste per year generating about 0.6 4 kg per person per day and by 2025 there will be 1.4 billion more people living in cities worldwide, with each person producing an average of 1.42 kg of municipal solid waste (MSW) per day – more than double the current average of 0.64kg per day. On 25 January 2017 with the initiative of Commissioner GHMC the Urban Community Development wing of GHMC along with the NGO named SRACo has united 158 families and efforts are put to unite 100 more families by April 2017. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has distributed 44 lakhs bins to 22.02 lakh households with a cost of INR 23.93 crore and 2,000 Swachh Auto Tippers are operational in all 150 wards for collection of wet and dry waste from house to house. Due to the innovative initiative by the commissioner of GHMC, the collection efficiency has increased from 3,200 MTP to 4,500 MTP. And out of the waste generated, about 60-70% of the waste is segregated at source and the same is maintained till Jawahar Nagar Dumping yard.

Few recent innovative programmes taken by GHMC Parichyam- Knowing each other or making gesture of friendship with the sanitation workers, is an innovative program conceptualised and designed by the Dr B Janardhan Reddy, Commissioner, GHMC, a programme to facilitate the knowledge of sanitation workers details in local ward/street level, by passing the contact information of sanitation workers to the citizens would establish a relation of knowing and owning the sanitation workers responsible in cleaning the area and making the place better, the idea of decentralising the work and engaging the citizens

The holistic innovation of uniting the family is taken by the commissioner of GHMC for socialistic pattern of the society, defining the basic creation of social gain and the pattern of development which will structure the socioeconomic relationship. in decision making has won the hearts of citizens and motivated the workers, thus leading towards a holistic approach towards sanitation in the city. Name and contact details of the sanitation workers hierarchy-wise are written on all major street nodes where citizens can easy reach out and a small programme is organised in RWAs to introduces the staff. If any part of the street, colony is not cleaned, the citizens can reach out to the concerned sanitation workers and have a dialogue for cleaning the area on priority basis. This kind of

collaboration has worked for inclusive participation and over all development of the area. Good Practices Day- Well performing workers are honored by the Commissioner, Zonal Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner on “Good practices day” conducted by offices on first Saturday of every month. Special Thematic Drive - GHMC has organized more than 18 special thematic drives from April 2016 still date under Swachh Bharat Mission. These includes cleanness drives in slums, RWAs and Housing societies Registered sports clubs, etc to sensitize people on Sanitation Elimination of Garbage Vulnerable Point- Integrated solid waste management is practiced in GHMC by collecting 100% door to door collection of waste by Swachh Auto/Tri cycle in residential areas and 100% collection of waste from commercial and industrial areas. The areas cleaned in due process were implemented with various activities like doing Rangoli at the GVP. Some areas have taken up wall paintings with a message of Swachh Hyderabad. There were also banners tied and plantations done, initiatives of relocating the road side vendors, hawkers (tea stall, vegetable cart, pan stall) in these points so that the area could be maintained tidy for a prolonged period. GHMC identified 1116 GVP and eliminated and sustained from time to time all the GVP.

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PSU LEADER’S PERSPECTIVE / SAURABH KUMAR

EESL-Making States

Energy Efficient Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) has been providing the energy saving LED bulbs in India. About 16.5 lakh streetlights in the country have already been replaced with LED so far by EESL, says Saurabh Kumar, Managing Director, EESL, in conversation with Gautam Debroy of Elets News Network (ENN).

E

nergy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) is the main provider of street lights in India, what is the main idea behind it?

The main idea is to reduce energy consumption on the roads. It ensures that municipalities and urban local bodies, not having sufficient budgets, are not constrained in providing good service to public in terms of lighting. We replace all the lights at our own cost, guaranting a 50 per cent minimum reduction in energy consumption. The municipality pays us from the savings it gets from money the energy over a period of seven years. We are guaranteeing better services with the facility of controlling lights remotely. Even faults can be monitored remotely.

What role are you playing in transforming cities into Smart Cities? Though we are not directly involved in the smart city mission, we are maintaining street lights through communication technology and running that communication system across the city. If any city wants to provide services using this technology like free wi-fi and transport

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SAURABH KUMAR \ PSU LEADER’S PERSPECTIVE

information, it is possible. It is for them to decide how to utilise this network.

You have launched several new projects, would you share the details of some of them? The Ministry of Urban development, Government of India, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with us (EESL) where street light modules are replicated on municipality water and sewage pump. These pumps consume a lot of energy since they are quite old and it is difficult to maintain them as well. We have started this project requesting municipalities and state governments to first get an energy audit of all the pumps. We have offered to do this audit and present the report to the state government. It is the state government’s decision whether they want to do the project or not. If they want to do the project with us on the street light module, we will make all the investment for the pumps, maintain those pumps for five to seven years and the states can pay us back from the savings they are getting from energy conservation. We are in the process of signing agreements with several states. Three States have already signed the agreemen, namely, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. We are pursuing the other States to join in this mission. The third is the building programme under which the government buildings where we do energy audit of the building and replace all the heavy energy consuming equipments at our own cost, guarantee a minimum energy saving and the government can pay us back through this energy saving in three to five years. We are undertaking the street light project in 21 states and going to commence it in Telangana very soon.

What is the reason of some of the states being hesitant in taking services of EESL? Tamil Nadu has been doing this project on its own. They are converting their traditional lighting into LED lighting. This is not just the state government project alone. It takes time to get approval at different levels. We have to get revenue from the municipality bodies which are not financially strong. So to protect the investments, we approach at the level of the State government. It also takes time. So, it’s all

in the process. Twenty-one states are already with us and we are sure that other states will also follow.

What are some of the challenges you face in maintaining energy efficiency? We are doing a decent job in energy efficiency. For the UJALA scheme, we are providing energy saving LED bulbs. We have installed 20.5 crore bulbs in less than two years. We have replaced 16.5 lakh streetlights in the country. It’s a new system and business model. It takes

We are going to replace the entire Gram Panchayat streetlights of Andhra Pradesh with the LED street lights on the same model. In the initial phase, 1,000 gram panchayats will be covered. Another scheme for rural areas is Atal Jyoti Yojana. Under this scheme, we are installing solar street lights where the grid has not reached in five states namely Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Jharkhand, and Odisha. So, we have reached the areas where there is not even a likelihood of grid reaching in near future. Our aim is to provide best services to the remotest areas of the country.

What is EESL’s success rate? What future do you foresee in coming years? The company was launched seven years ago. In the first three to four years, our revenue was rupees five to six crore. In 2014-15 our revenue was `70 crore and in 2015-16 we crossed Rs 715 crore. This year we expect to touch `2,000 crore. The number of projects is increasing because we have shown the results and people are realising. It is an effective and efficient way

The number of projects is increasing because we have shown the results. People are now realising it’s really an effective and efficient way of development. some time for people to understand the value of the model. The government realises the value of street light revenue model for water pumps where you don’t have to allocate resources. People are now realising the value of this concept. Most of the opportunities in the energy efficiency lie in the government sector, municipal bodies and distribution companies. We are trying to ensure our standardised processes usher in the private sector and they start doing what EESL is doing.

Are you focusing only on the urban areas or catering to the needs of rural regions as well? Under the UJALA programme, 50 per cent of the bulbs have been distributed in rural areas.

of development. The service remains at the best level because EESL payment is linked to that service. We have mainstreamed the service model in the government.

What is your take on National Urban Development Summit, Elets Technomedia is organising in Hyderabad. It’s really great. Such platforms provide the policymakers, industry and other experts a common platform where they can share and understand about latest technologies. On such platforms, you also have funding agencies like us who can facilitate the marriage between the municipal bodies and the industry. It helps to showcase your best practices.

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POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE / HARICHANDANA DASARI

GHMC Goes Paperless Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is a pioneer in engaging citizens’ participation in civic initiatives. It is the first municipal body in the country to go paperless having all its records and internal communications digitised, says Harichandana Dasari, Zonal Commissioner (Centre Zone), GHMC in conversation with Suheer Goutham of Elets News Network (ENN). of the cleanest cities in the country, clearing 4,200 tonnes of garbage daily through door-todoor collection. The city has been made garbage free and is also on the path to becoming bin free. 44 lakh dual bins have been distributed to households and an intensive information campaign has been launched to promote segregation at the source. Apart from this, the envisaged strategic road development plan which includes flyovers, skyways, and walkways is set to transform the landscape of the city. It is also the only corporation in the country to provide free two-bed room housing to the poor with 17,000 houses planned in the first phase. Further, in an effort to increase the green cover of the city, over one crore saplings were planted across the city with 29 lakh planted in a single day. The city also boasts of developmental initiatives like provision of meals for `5, creation of white topping and plastic roads etc. From this sample of initiatives it’s clear that the city’s development profile is comprehensive as well as multifarious. Carrying forward the momentum towards cleaning up the city and sustaining these development initiatives in my zone is my primary agenda.

What are your plans for providing clean water to the citizens of Hyderabad?

H

ow do you evaluate the development work in Hyderabad? Which are the areas would you like to focus as the Municipal Commissioner?

True to its moniker as the fifth most dynamic city of the world, Hyderabad boasts of a dynamic development profile. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is at the forefront of this transformative agenda under the aegis of our minister, K Taraka Rama Rao. It is one

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Water is one of the life forces of any city. The metro water board primarily takes care of supply, distribution and health of water in Hyderabad city. GHMC is an active adjunct in supporting the role of the water board by managing storm water drains, supplementing the water boards supply chain during summer months, managing water supply in peripheral areas of the city and promoting water conservation efforts across the city.


HARICHANDANA DASARI / POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE

What are the initiatives initiated by the corporation for city’s development including efforts towards digitisation? Also, brief us on the clean city campaign. GHMC is the first municipal body in the country to go paperless. It has digitised all its records and internal communications, facilitating faster movement of files, cutting of red tape and fixing responsibility contributing to the overall increase of efficiency of the civic body. In addition, the corporation has a 24X7 call centre which immediately conveys a reported’grievance to the concerned official via SMS. Complaint response is also actively monitored by senior officials ensuring effective delivery of services. We also talk about ‘My GHMC’ app, which effectively reduces the need for citizens to visit any wing of the civic body. Virtually all services provided by the corporation like birth and death certificates, building permissions and payments of taxes are online. As mentioned earlier, the clean city campaign is at the heart of all efforts of GHMC. With the exalted aim of making Hyderabad the cleanest city of India, we have launched a fleet of 2,000 autos with segregator compartments to separate dry and wet waste. Also, 44 lakh blue and green bins were distributed to households and an intensive awareness campaign on segregating at source was launched. As a result, 1,000 tonnes of garbage is additionally being collected which was previously thrown on the streets or in waterways. We have also eliminated open garbage points. Further, 136 modern toilets have been installed across the city. A first of its kind, e-toilets for women called ‘She Toilets’ have also been launched. Open defecation is being fought with sanction of individual toilets for those households who do not have existing toilets and for those with no space, community toilets have been constructed. Also, by partnering with petrol bunks, function halls, malls and restaurants their toilets have been made available for public use freely, thus having a public toilet for use on every street. Still some cultural change is required on prevention of open defecation and urination which is being targeted through awareness campaigns.

How serious is the issue of demolition of structures in dilapidated condition? How is

the corporation addressing this issue? Hyderabad is a city in existence for more than 450 years now. The corporation periodically assesses unstable structures for demolition and keeps demolishing them. Currently, there are around 431 structures identified for demolition in the city. Firstly, notices are issued to the owners to demolish the structures themselves,

investment flows. Increasing the investment, without increasing the tax burden is the tightrope walk which the corporation has to undertake.

What new initiatives GHMC is undertaking in the areas of waste disposal, parking and town beautification. I have already spoken about waste disposal efforts

We are ensuring that the city follows a strict no poster and flexi policy by keeping enforcement teams to remove such posters and booking cases under the defacement of public properties act, to preserve the beauty of the city. failing which the corporation itself takes up demolition. However, an impediment is the severe resistance from owners and tenants of such properties to demolish. They often seek the courts to stay demolitions, which considerably delays the process.

According to you, what are the challenges in developing Hyderabad as a smart city and how can these challenges are addressed? Hyderabad is well on its way to become a smart city due to the political vision and goals set by the government. A safe, sustainable, investor friendly, liveable green city is possible with enhancing public transportation, making the city cleaner and greener drawing investments. Also, the city is uniquely positioned to capitalise on advances of information communication technologies, with the city already being an IT hub. The corporation is also the foremost in the country utilising these existent advantages in making the city a smarter one. We have already talked about the ‘My GHMC’ App. Additionally, the launch of metro in the city coupled with the strategic road development plan incorporating skyways, walkways and seamless transportation in the immediate future, enhancing use of ICT initiatives will easily facilitate a smart city. Hyderabad also boasts of being one of the safest cities and one of the greenest one - making it intrinsically a smarter city. The challenge lies in increasing the scope and scale of these initiatives which require huge

of the corporation. Parking is another major challenge to a burgeoning city. We are in the process of finalising multi-level electronic parking lots in key points across the city. This will significantly reduce haphazard parking on streets. Town beautification is a priority for us. We are engaging the efforts of various artists and art students in beautifying key flyovers and commercial roads across the city. Such efforts are evident at various places in Hyderabad. Simultaneously, we are ensuring that the city follows a strict no poster and flexi policy by keeping enforcement teams to remove such posters and booking cases under the defacement of public properties act, to preserve the beauty of the city.

What new initiatives are planning to launch soon? GHMC is a pioneer in engaging citizens’ participation in civic initiatives. In our efforts to take administration closer to people, we have engaged in programmes like “Parichayam” - wherein the first responder and the sanitation worker of that area are known and remain in direct contact with residents of that area. We have also constantly outreached our programmes with schools and colleges taking forward our information awareness campaigns. We are actively engaged with communities working towards social intervention and change. Through our social action teams comprising women from self-help groups, we have recently brought together 150 estranged families under the banner of uniting families and dividing waste.

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POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE / RAJESHWAR TIWARI

Revamping Healthcare Services in Telangana

With more focus on improved healthcare services for mother and children, Government of Telangana is revamping the healthcare sector in the state says Rajeshwar Tiwari, Special Chief Secretary, Health, Medical & Family Welfare, Government of Telangana in an interview with Elets News Network (ENN).

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P

lease apprise us on State government’s efforts to bring more effective and transparent healthcare systems for the benefit of the people in Telangana state. How do you envision the idea of a Healthy Hyderabad? The Government of Telangana is making all its efforts to make healthcare accessible to every citizen of the state. The budgetary allocation for health sector has increased considerably after formation of the state. For the year 2016-17 budget allocation is Rs 5966 crores. Apart from this around Rs 1000 crore is allocated under the National Health Mis-

sion. This shows the government’s commitment towards providing better health services to the people. The Government of Telangana is focussing more on the maternal and child health. The institutional deliveries in Telangana stand at 96% and special focus is now on increasing the deliveries being conducted in government health facilities. All the government hospitals are being strengthened to provide effective and transparent healthcare to the poor. Regarding the health care delivery in Hyderabad, since Hyderabad has an estimated population of 7.7 million with population density of 18,480 people per square kilometer (47,000/sq mi) with 1,466 slums (notified and unnotified) having a population of 22,87,014, it poses a different challenge to the state to provide health services to the poor.


RAJESHWAR TIWARI \ POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE

As per norms there should be one Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC) on every 50,000 citizens. At present the city has 112 functioning UPHCs. The gap is being filled by establishing more UPHCs under National Urban Health Mission (NUHM). The proposed UPHCs are being established as the e-UPHCs.

Would you throw some light on the functions of UPHCs? These UPHCs will function from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm and will be equipped with ultrasound machines for screening pregnant women. All the existing UPHCs are being renovated. Mahila Arogya Samithies are formed with the assistance of Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA).

What about the Urban Health and Nutrition Days? Outreach through Urban Health and Nutrition Days (UHND) and Special Outreach Camps meant to address health needs of this vulnerable population. Outreach Sessions will be organized at locations such as community structures, primary schools, anganwadi centres or any place that is accessible to the vulnerable population, in coordination with ASHA and MAS members through the teams of mobile health units in coordination with respective UPHCs. The mobile health units/UPHCs will identify the areas to visit and park vehicles very near to these slum population for better access to the health care services. They will also make tie up

in Hyderabad. In these e-UPHCs all necessary diagnostic tests are done and will be available on an MIS system.

How significantly the government is working to improve the facilities at the primary healthcare centres in rural areas? Please elaborate. Telangana currently has 683 Primary Health Centres (PHC); of these around 350 work 24*7. The main focus of these PHCs is to provide maternal and child health services, disease control services and outreach activities. The government is taking elaborate efforts to improve the functioning of these PHCs. All PHCs are now being painted to give them a better look. With the formation of smaller districts, the district collectors are able to visit these PHCs physically. Efforts are underway to standardise the labour rooms available in these PHCs.

Is it true that the state is also planning to set up super speciality hospitals in and around Hyderabad? The government plans to ease the workload on hospitals like Osmania, Gandhi etc., by establishing four super speciality hospitals around Hyderabad. These hospitals will have 500 beds for multi specialties and another 200 beds exclusively for Mother and Child care. These hospitals will come up in the Victoria Memorial Home, L.B. Nagar, Mylardevpally and Rajendranagar and near Pet Basheerabad Police Station and Miyapur Bus Terminal. Each UPHC will be provided an untied grant of Rs 1,00,000 per month. All the ANMs will be provided with Tablet PCs for tracking of pregnant women and children through tab based app called “ANMOL”. However , accessing these health facilities by slum and vulnerable population is minimal as health seeking behaviour is poor. Further, 1,466 notified and identified slums are scattered across both Hyderabad district (city) and Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) parts of other districts, i.e., Ranga Reddy, Medak and Medchal. The health facilities were not built based on vulnerable population nor were slums developed around the Health facilities for better access to the health care. Hence, to address the health issues of the vulnerable sections of the community and to take on a proactive health care approach, the urban Mobile Clinics have been planned to provide health care delivery services at the door steps in urban slum areas.

with local UPHC for referral and tracking of the patients and pregnant women and children for immunization. Special outreach sessions with specialist doctors can be clubbed with these mobile clinics for better outcomes. Drugs, Lab kits and other equipment will be procured separately for mobile health units.

What is the concept of e-healthcare centres which have been launched by the State government ? How these centres are going to boost the healthcare sector? The government recently launched e Health Centres at Rasoolpura in Hyderabad under Public Private Partnership (PPP). e-UPHC will have ambience of corporate clinics that could change the perception about government healthcare institutions. More e-UPHCs will be established

Research and development institutions play a crucial role in boosting the healthcare system. Is the State government planning to invest in these areas? The R&D is generally done in the National level institutions like ICMR, NIN etc. However, the state Institute of Health and Family Welfare do undertake some research studies. This year about 5 research studies are planned to be conducted.

How the State government is willing to support start ups in the healthcare domain? Any specific area where the government wants start up to focus? The government will support the start up in health care. It mainly wants to focus in the areas of mother and child health care.

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POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE / SUNIL SHARMA

In order to boost the transport of Telangana, the State government is improving the condition of roads in the state. With the help of Government of India, Telangana government is trying for a better network of highways in and around the State, says Sunil Sharma, Principal Secretary, Transport, Roads and Buildings, Government of Telangana in an interview with Harshal Desai of Elets News Network (ENN).

Improving Road

Network for Better Mobility

H

ow do you rate the overall transport and road infrastructure within Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana? Please elaborate. The state of Telangana is striving towards improved

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network of roads to boost the transport and road infrastructure and hassle free movement of people and goods in the State. The outer ring road facility has made the mobility of vehicles very efficient.

Hyderabad has an excellent road infrastructure that adds to the city’s attractiveness. What do you think about it?


SUNIL SHARMA \ POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE

ture everywhere in the state. As you already aware Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has sanctioned 8,000 crore worth projects for development of national highways in Telangana. When the state was formed, Telangana had about 2500 kilometre of national highways but now the state has around 5000 kilometre of national highways. We actually converted 2500 of state highways into national highways. Government of India has helped us by sanctioning the amount for the improvement of national and state highways. Further, the state government will like to use the money to improve the condition of national highways. Roads, which are not national highways, are also maintained by the state government. We have already initiated the modification wherever necessary and have also started doubling of the single roads. We want to take up road as the growth engine for the development of the state. A good road infrastructure will surely boost the state economy.

to ensure better visibility, convenient U-turns and pothole free roads. We also have directed hospitals to help road accident victims without wasting time in asking irrelevant questions to the victims and people who are accompanying them to hospitals.

Linking parking space and registration of four wheelers is indeed a great idea. Will you please elaborate how it would help solve the parking space problem in the city? How significant will the people’s participation be in the success of this mechanism? This is a good move towards easing the traffic problems faced by the citizens in the city. Making mandatory provisions for parking facility with the registration of vehicles will bring out free movement of traffic in the state. It also will enhance road discipline

We have also introduced mWallet System which allows you to keep all your important documents in your mobile phone eliminating the need to carry the physical papers. In Hyderabad city, we have two types of roads, first -- the national highways which are passing through the city, we have six of them. Second, we have roads belonging to the municipal corporation. Both kinds of roads are very well maintained and necessary modifications are done systematically. Further, “White Topping” is a new technology of providing cement concrete overlay on the existing damaged and distressed BT roads. The city roads are also linked to the outer ring roads through radial roads, which pass through the city. Thus, a good concept has been developed to improve the roads in Hyderabad.

What are your major plans? How significant has been the Government of India’s role in the overall road development in state? We are paying attentions to the road infrastruc-

Please share your views on the Hyderabad – Warangal road connectivity?

and discourage purchase of vehicles without a need.

Warangal’s road development goes hand in hand with Hyderabad. We are glad to update that – to some extent – the work has been completed up to Bhongir. From Warangal to Bhongir, which is under National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), the work has just started.

Please brief us on the innovative measures taken by the transport department in the state?

What are your views on road safety? Road safety has two components – awareness – where people are required to follow the safety rules and regulations, and engineering – which ensures good condition of roads, spacious U-Turns and other technical elements. We are focusing on both the aspects. The department is already organising different awareness programmes. We have also identified black spots - which need to be modified

We have about nine million vehicles. And every day, thousands of vehicles are being added, their registration process is completed and licenses are allotted. In this field, lot of computerization has taken place; which made registration process very convenient for the public to obtain any license, get the registration and insurance process. We have also introduced mWallet System which allows you to keep all your important documents in your mobile phone eliminating the need to carry the physical papers. So, such innovative measures have been implemented in the transport department. As I mentioned earlier, Transport and Road are the two crucial segment, we are focussing on a lot.

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POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE / T CHIRANJEEVULU

HMDA-The New Frontier of Development Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) is preparing a revised and integrated master plan keeping in view the vision of the Chief Minister, says T Chiranjeevulu, Metropolitan Commissioner of HMDA in conversation with Harshal Desai of Elets News Network (ENN).

H

ow HMDA is playing a significant role in the development of the city?

Hyderabad is globally recognised as an IT hub and also the gateway to South Central India. It is also a hub for pharmaceutical industry, educational, research institutions, and many others. On account of this, Hyderabad is ranked at 78th position for the year 2016 in the Global City index and adjudged as best

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liveable city in India. For any city, master plan acts as a growth engine, promoting sustainable planned development. HMDA is preparing such master plans for Hyderabad city. Further, HMDA is also taking up several infrastructural projects. It has executed several important projects such as construction of 158 km, eight lane controlled-access express highway (Outer Ring Road), PVNR Expressway, Necklace road and several flyovers. HMDA is also playing an important role in protecting the environment

of Hyderabad by taking up several greenery programmes. HMDA is developing residential layouts under Sites and Services programme. To provide affordable recreation to Hyderabad citizens, HMDA maintains several parks like NTR Gardens, Sanjeevaiah Park and Lumbini Park. The famous Hussain Sagar Lake is also maintained by HMDA. Off late, we are maintaining the second tallest National Flag (293 Feet) in Hyderabad. Thus, HMDA is playing a significant role in the development of the city.


T CHIRANJEEVULU \ POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE

What have been the major focus areas for HMDA? How do you evaluate its performance in recent years?

How are you tackling the issue of illegal constructions and unauthorised layouts in Hyderabad?

Telangana is a newly formed state in the country. The people have a lot of expectations from the new government. Our Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and Minister for IT, Electronics and Communications Department K T Rama Rao want to make Hyderabad a global city and build ‘Bangaru Telangana’.. HMDA is now preparing a revised and integrated master plan keeping in view the vision of both

There are several illegal constructions and unauthorised layouts in Hyderabad metropolitan area. We have identified such illegal layouts and issued notices. We recently launched demolition drive as well. Further, the government has also issued several orders for regularisation of these unauthorised structures and layouts.

What are the other major challenges the authority has been facing in the city ? Mobilisation of the resources for taking up new projects and lack of skilled man power are some of the issues we are facing. However, now we are going to solve all these problems since government is committed to fund the projects.

The lighting system proposed consists of 1,858 units of 210 watts LED bulbs on the MCW, 2,312 units of 90 W bulbs on the service roads and 35 High Mast lights in the interchanges. The system is designed for an average LUX level of 30, 20, 50, 70 for the MCW, service roads, interchanges and vehicular under passes respectively. The system will be equipped with real time web based monitoring and control system (automation dimming, fail alarm, abnormal power conception). In addition to providing illumination for the above stretch, it is also proposed to provide illumination for remaining 17 interchanges on ORR.

How soon the unified master plan will come into existence? What will be the key feature of this plan? Our Hon’ble Chief Minister’s vision is to

HMDA is taking up several new projects such as construction of logistic parks, intercity bus terminals, eco parks and transit oriented development centres. How significant is the move to illuminate the Outer Ring Road (ORR)? Which are the other areas which will be illuminated in the near future?

CM and the Minister. The second important focus area is addressing transportation issues. A comprehensive transportation study for Hyderabad city has already been conducted by Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) and now we are going to introduce an intelligent transport system for Hyderabad city. To decongest the city, HMDA is also focusing on development of transport oriented growth centres all along the Outer Ring Road. HMDA is taking up several new projects such as construction of logistic parks, intercity bus terminals, eco parks and transit oriented development centres.

The ORR is 158 km long. The proposal to illuminate stretch of ORR from Gachibowli to Shamshabad, 24.20 km in length at a cost of Rs. 30 crores is a significant move as this stretch carries maximum volume of traffic 24x7 and more number of accidents are reported compared to the remaining stretch of ORR. In order to minimise accidents on this stretch, illumination on the service roads, Main Carriageway (MCW) and interchanges for the 24.20 Km stretch is taken up. The work was given to to Philips India Limited through a competitive bidding during December 2016 and is in progress. The work is scheduled to be completed by July 2017.

make Hyderabad a global city, so keeping his vision in view, we are preparing a vision development statement for the city. The work for integrated master plan is going on in full swing and it will be completed in two to three months.

What special projects have you undertaken to protects the lakes in Hyderabad ? Lake protection is a key agenda for HMDA. We are having 3,132 lakes in the HMDA area. We have hired an agency which has surveyed about 2,000 lakes and finally notified 200 tanks. We are fixing Full Tank Level (FTL) boundaries and also addressing the collectors. HMDA has also taken up removal of encroachments in these lakes, apart from several greenery activities. Already, we maintain the prestigious lake of Hyderabad - Hussain Sagar.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

CREDAI THE VOICE OF INDIAN REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY The Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Association of India (CREDAI), is the apex national body of private real estate developers of the country. With its 157 city chapters, 23 state federations and a membership of about 11,500, CREDAI occupies a “pride of place” in the nation’s progress and development with its significant 7% contribution to the GDP as against the overall 8% contribution of real estate sector to the nation’s GDP.

B

eing a significant contributor, CREDAI is the forefront in not only voicing the concerns of the real estate sector, but also in taking the leadership role in the process of formulating the national and state level policies in close interaction with the government at different levels. By playing such an important

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role, CREDAI endeavors to create conducive environment for the promotion and growth of the real estate sector. Over the years, CREDAI has emerged as a recognised voice of India’s real estate industry. CREDAI Hyderabad is the Hyderabad chapter of CREDAI national, promoting real estate

development in Hyderabad with a national impetus. CREDAI Hyderabad comprises a league of developers and builders who have over the years earned a reputation among buyers and investors. Aiming at taking the realty sector of the state to higher standards, CREDAI Hyderabad


SPECIAL FEATURE

l Provide an attractive investment

environment l Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Activities

Objectives of CREDAI Hyderabad To perpetuate an ethical code of conduct the following is mandatory for all the member developers / builders of CREDAI Hyderabad: l To maintain integrity and transparency in the profession of real estate development. l To represent the overall interests of developers / builders in Hyderabad by engaging in regular dialogue and representation with concerned authorities, on policy or regulation related issues. l To create a platform for developers / builders to work together towards improving the quality of development and construction related activities by sharing efficiency ideas, and eventually work towards sustainable constructions. l To disseminate data, statistics and other

constantly strives to bring in the best practices prevalent in the industry nationwide in terms of innovative ideas, latest trends and standards in construction activities. It takes sincere efforts to maintain integrity and transparency in the realty sector. As an integral part of CREDAI, the apex body of organised real estate developers across India, CREDAI Hyderabad voices and represents issues and proactive policies before the government and other concerned authorities. The association will seek to address the issues pertaining to taxation and stamp duty, promulgate prudent strategies for affordable housing and to provide good return of investment for consumers.

l

l

Objectives of CREDAI l l l l

Present proactive policies Promote stability and growth Uphold ethical business values Create and enforce guidelines among developers

l l l

related real estate development information to its members. To promote the interest of construction workers and to educate them on best practices. To provide a transparent platform for property purchasers, sellers and housing finance agencies, thus promoting stability and growth in the real estate sector. To address grievances in a timely fashion. To be the knowledge bank for all property related enquiries in Hyderabad. To promote CSR Activities

CREDAI – Behind Millions Of Happy And Satisfied Home Buyers It is said that “Home is where the heart is”. Naturally, no money is better spent than on a home that has a character and personality of its own and that shapes the home buyer in many different ways. Therefore, CREDAI Hyderabad deems essential that the “Code of Conduct” is mandatorily practiced by all its member developers so as to achieve comparable high standards of integrity and transparency in the development of housing projects and ensuring the maintaining of ethical standards that should satisfy the needs of the home buyers. CREDAI, Hyderabad also creates a platform for developers to work together towards improving quality of construction and housing development. CREDAI, Hyderabad provides a transparent platform for property buyers, sellers and housing finance companies alike. All these help promote close interactions and relations among all the stakeholders which

foster sustainable development of the real estate sector. Further, CREDAI Hyderabad addresses and attends to grievances of property purchasers and tries to resolve them as feasibly as possible. By creating hassle-free customer experiences, accountability, transparent practices and code of conduct, CREDAI Hyderabad stands behind millions of happy and satisfied home buyers who bought their homes from its developer members over the years. And now, CREDAI Hyderabad offers another opportunity to millions more to buy and enjoy their homes.

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POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE / G V RAMANA RAO

Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) has launched 100 new services to neighbouring states yielding an additional annual revenue of Rs 65 crore, says G V Ramana Rao, Managing Director of TSRTC, in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).

Telangana State Road Transport

Corporation Goes Digital

H

ow has TSRTC improvised its operations across the state in recent years?

TSRTC has been functioning separately since June, 2015 after bifurcation of the state (Andhra Pradesh). With a fleet of 10,400 vehicles, it serves 95 lakh passengers a day, earning a daily average revenue of `9.52 crore. During 2015-16, TSRTC realised gross revenue of Rs 4,095 crore against an expenditure of `4,797 crore, which meant incurring a loss `701 crore. Revision of pay scales to its 55,000 employees

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with 44% fitment benefit was implemented in 2015 retrospectively from April 2013, which resulted in an additional burden of about `600 crore per annum. We have taken various measures to absorb the financial burden on wage increase and to make the profitability trend towards positive growth. We have introduced 100 new services to the neighbouring states to yield additional revenue of `65 crore annually. We have also planned to introduce 300 more buses to yield additional earnings of `186 crore annually. Upgrading 100 ordinary services on longer routes into express services to reduce travel

time and introduce 117 semi-low floor Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) buses in Karimnagar, Khammam and Mahaboobnagar cities to enable effective public transport system in the cities are some other measures TSRTC has implemented. We have also streamlined rationalisation of hire rates for chartered services to make the system attractive and passenger-friendly resulting in `3.5 crore earning per month. TSRTC also developed an in-house software programme for generating product-wise and service-wise break even earnings for all 13,060 services for effective awareness among the managers and crew mem-


G V RAMANA RAO \ POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE

bers. Computerisation of services’ flow charts showing all the services at a particular bus station or terminus has also helped the corporation utilise its buses and crew members.

Bus Station, Jubilee Bus Station and Karimnagar Bus Stations and construction of modern bus station at Khammam Bus Station at the cost of `15 crore are few other investments.

How have you been able to save on the cost spent on fuel?

Besides availability of good water, which are the facilities the corporation has focused on improving to make passengers’ lives easier?

We have negotiated with public sector oil companies for supply of High Speed Diesel (HSD) oil at bulk rates to save `35.40 crore per annum. We are using bio-diesel at 35 depots and 2,000 buses with 10% mix which has resulted in saving of `1.54 crore per annum. Lowering the re-order levels for indenting HSD oil and other store items for reduced inventories and use of advanced products like self-lubricated PP shafts, HP power cool and synthetic power steering oil with enhanced drain period for reduced cost per kilometre are couple of other measures.

Which are the areas where TSRTC has invested hugely to make the corporation better?

Introduction of mini AC buses called “Vajra” for operation between Hyderabad- Warangal and Hyderabad – Nizamabad, online ticket booking and ticket booking through mobile app for these mini-AC buses for speedy travel, modernisation of bus stations, cashless transaction system in all 112 services in Siddipet depot and Point of Sales (PoS) machines in Mahatma Gandhi bus station and in Siddipet bus station and wi-fi internet connectivity at 10 major bus stations across the state, four city bus stations in Hyderabad and 75 metro luxury AC buses operating in Hyderabad city are some of the major initiatives we have launched.

(ERP) system. Further, about 1,180 drivers operated Ticket Issuing Machines (TIMs) and 11,034 Conductor TIMs are being used in the Corporation as well. We are also glad to update you that computerised Bus Pass Project is also in place through which 16.21 lakh bus passes are issued per year, realising earnings to the tune of `267.76 crore. We have also proposed automatic fare collection systems in buses with smart cards. We have implemented Vehicle Tracking & Passenger Information System (VT&PIS) in 1951 vehicles. Break-even cost analysis and flow chart programme on common corridors are two innovative projects developed in-house and recognised at national-level by Skoch Foundation.

How do you plan to address the grievances of passengers? We have started to collect feedback from commuters. Experienced professionals are being engaged to assess the passengers’ satisfaction levels for improving the service quality. The received complaints are being addressed. We are also arranging periodical training to the erring staff at Staff Training Colleges on behavioural aspects.

What is your longterm strategy to make TSRTC a huge profit making Corporation?

The government of Telangana has provided a fund of `350 crore for 2016-17 as financial assistance for procurement of 1,436 buses including mini buses towards replacement and augmentation. We have also invested `23 crore for introduction of mini AC buses to be operated from residential localities in Hyderabad, Warangal and Nizamabad and `25 crore for deployment of 136 mini non-AC buses in rural areas for better connectivity. Besides, `17.5 crore for modernisation of Mahatma Gandhi

How the Corporation is making optimum use of Information Technology? TSRTC has focused a lot on computerised operations and maintenance processes, online reservation system and electronic ticket issuing machines for all the services of the corporation. Further, we have designed Centralised Integrated System (CIS) to migrate and integrate all the current IT modules into an Enterprise resource planning

We are focussing on all round development of Telangana state Road Transport Corporation. We have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) for setting fuel outlets in unused lands to get lease rentals and dealership commission on sales. Further, adoption of e-tendering system to realise maximum potential rental income, revenue through packaged drinking water in major bus stations and leasing of available spaces in major bus stations for construction of mini theatre are some of the important elements of our strategy to boost the revenue. We are also working on Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) scheme to augment revenues and to develop vacant lands.

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POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE / D JAYARAJ KENNEDY

Delivering Better Public Services Using IT Introduction of Information Technology in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has set new dimensions to provide quick government services to the citizens of Hyderabad, says, D Jayaraj Kennedy, Additional Municipal Commissioner – IT, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation in an interview with Elets News Network (ENN).

Y

ou handle crucial portfolio for Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). Apprise us on the latest developments – within your department? Could you elaborate the functions of your department. The IT wing of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has undergone through a rapid evolution over the past few years and constantly made attempts to innovate and upgrade on new technology and simplification of work flow to ensure transparency and better citizen service. MyGHMC mobile app is one of the biggest initiatives as the app allows citizens to register grievances with one tap on the mobile screen, to know their dues and pay property tax and trade license fee using online payment gateway, and download their birth and death certificates which are already registered. Besides, we also have launched “Dial 100” for receiving emergency calls pertaining to GHMC during disaster or natural calamities. Deployment of swiping machines in 19 Citizen Service Centers of GHMC to encourage cashless transactions through debit and credit cards and launching of Aadhaar linked bio-metric attendance system for capturing the attendance of sanitary workers of GHMC are couple of other initiatives. Further, we are also working on locating the public toilets on Google Maps for the convenience of citizens and improving sanitation. For Geo-tagging and Geo-fencing of open spaces of GHMC,

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e-Office in all its sections and departments. Now, physical file transaction is dispensed and all files transactions are being carried out electronically, which is a crucial step in ushering the concept of “Smart City”. eOffice Plus is another application which enables the citizens to know current status of any file within GHMC along with the details of file movement and the officers and staff by whom the file has been processed within GHMC. Besides, Development Permission Management System has been introduced for ‘online approval system’ in GHMC for issue of building and layout permissions

What are the major challenges your face? And how do you address those challenges? Adapting to new technologies and applications is not always an easy task. Continuous efforts are needed to motivate the employees who are used to traditional methods from last many years. To overcome these challenges, training sessions and seminars are conducted to educate the employees to adapt the latest technology. a dashboard is developed and integration with Development Permission Management System (DPMS) is in progress.

What are the major focus areas of your department? GHMC has implemented Oracle E-Business Suite including Oracle Core Financials (for general ledger and cash management) and Oracle Core Purchasing (for budgeting and work order management modules) is currently used by all zonal, circle and head office. We also have developed application for property tax and trade license.

GHMC has adopted e-Governance to provide enhanced civic services to the citizens of twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Please elaborate on this ? GHMC took the first step towards making e-governance and a paperless office by introducing e-Office. GHMC has become the first city corporation in the country in implementing

How significant is public participation in ensuring smooth IT operations and its success? To illustrate, when MyGHMC mobile app is launched, there was huge response from the people which is encouraging. Within 100 days from the date of launch of app, there were more than 1 lakh downloads and positive feedback is received from citizens with rating of 4.2/5 in Google play store.

How crucial is the training part for employees? How often GHMC conducts training programmes for its employees? Whenever new application is launched, training is imparted to concerned employees and hand-hold support is given till they are familiarised with the application. When eOffice is launched, 2200 employees were trained in just three weeks. Now, all files are digitised and the movement of files is much quick because of the trainingsconducted.



POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE

Raipur Smart City The Dream City of Aspiring Minds Raipur is one of the proposed smart cities under “Smart City Mission” of Government of India. Various initiatives have been taken by the Raipur Municipal Corporation in this direction, says Rajat Bansal, Municipal Commissioner, Raipur Municipal Corporation, in an interview with Arpit Gupta of Elets News Network (ENN).

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1st century is the century of urbanisation with about 75 per cent of population dwelling in city, have emerged a lot of ideas of making cities better place to live in. In the queue, the next hot topic is the concept of Smart City. A city providing high quality life to its dwellers, by integrating economic, social and environmental sustainability. On account of making the above possible, there must be congruity on the urban administrations setups, various parts of the system must meet up as a major aspect of community, each having their impact, to create, execute, and manage an incorporated arrangement of measures. In a quest to develop Raipur as a “Smart City” Chhattisgarh government is striving to keep all the parts integrated and working. The Chhattisgarh Government has planned a citizen-centric and citizen-derived smart city. In the endeavor, in making Raipur a smart city RMC has come up various schemes with equal participation from citizens running out parallelly . “You don’t build your roof until you’ve finished building the walls. And you don’t build walls, until you’ve finished building the foundation of your house. Big empires are built in baby steps, that is – one at a time”. Following this concept, RMC is working on the model of ABD. ABD – Area Based Development approach

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focuses on developing a whole city by focusing on one particular area at a time. This strategy aims at selecting one particular area from the city, renovating it, and making it ready to cooperate with the Smart City’s plan for the development of the city. The concept of Area Based Development focuses on the sustainable growth of the city where every area of the city is equally contributing in the development of the city. It is an area-specific, participatory, integrated and inclusive plan to develop the whole city. In this

approach, a small area of the city will be selected and development work will start on it. Once the development is completed of the targeted area, some other area will be selected. Following this concept, every area of the city will be chosen. And one by one, the whole city will be developed. Under this model, many areas of Raipur are being developed. Anand Samaj Library, the oldest library of Chhattisgarh, established in year 1908, is being converted into an e-library. Up-gradation work with modern facilities has been started. Sitting capacity is being increased, more books are being added, some rooms are being added, compound is being rearranged to create parking space in the premises. Wi-fi, CCTV cameras, air conditioners, modern toilets and water facilities are being installed. Motibagh, located at the heart of Raipur city, is being developed as an entertainmentNo hub. A pump track is being developed for the kids so that they get the feeling of cycling on a mountain terrain. A maze made of bushes is being developed, Musical Fountain, Surface water small river, Botanical Garden, Open Air Theater, Soft Walking Track, Artificial Waterfall, Grass Mound, Drinking Water, Toilet, Parking etc. are to be developed. “Mor Raipur App”- To make all the civic amenities available to its citizens at their fingertips. Raipur smart city has launched a mobile app “Mor Raipur”. A first of its kind initiative in Chhattisgarh, This app “Mor Raipur” will empower digitalization ensuring transparency and timely execution of all the activities of Smart City Ltd. This is a user-friendly app, which can be downloaded from Google play. With its unique features like Online services, Grievance Redressal and Updates, this app provides option to its user to pay their taxes online, register and track the status of their complaints


POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE

and get latest updates about the activities of RMC, 24/7, within few clicks. Any city would prosper and develop when its citizens are a proportionate part of its formation. With this view only Raipur Municipal Commissioner Rajat Bansal aims at making Raipur more Clean, more Connected, more Cohesive, more Credible. The overall development can be easily concisely described to the practices of these 4C’s. Initiatives which will be practice in regard of the stopper composition of Smart City has a centralised basement system which will improve the cleanliness of the city implementations like vending zone licensing in places like Canal linking road MG Road Ravi Bhawan Kalibari Chowk extra would give shape to Cohesive Raipur. Projects like Chhattisgarhi 36 is an excellent example of credible Raipur in which the mass of people would decide the places which they want to develop under Smart City and projects getting largest reviews would be selected for redevelopment. Proposals like ITMS would provide collaborative monitoring of signals and would give an integrated management system for its control these systems will be a boon for traffic revitalization and is under process. Another popular project being undertaken by RMC under the ABD model is open gyms. A healthy heart track is being made at Indoor Stadium, Raipur. Mayor Promod Dubey, along with Nagar Nigam officials have proposed this plan to enrich the fitness level amongst the Raipurians. Parking facility will be regulated and surroundings will be cleaned in Jawahar Market. Compost plant has been installed in Shashtri market to recycle vegetable wastes. Ramps are proposed to be made to ease shopping and transportation during overcrowded situations. Open Wi-fi spots are being installed in various locations of the city. It has already been installed at Marine Drive, Telibandha; and the plans to install it on all other popular locations of Raipur are on go. Also, with an aim, to make Raipurians fit and healthy, Raipur smart city launched a fun filled fitness campaign in the heart of the city near Telibanda Lake, from 4th December 2016 and is held on every Sunday morning. Wherein, Raipurian reclaims the road for fitness and lots of fun.

You don’t build your roof until you’ve finished building the walls. And you don’t build walls until you’ve finished building the foundation of your house The celebrations of Matargashti is marked by a lot of momentous performances, with sports activities like cycling, skating games like basketball, volleyball, football and many more. Along with the fun factor Matargashti act as a platform to aware people about health and fitness. This initiative by Raipur Smart City Ltd. is highly appreciated and other administrative bodies are also organizing such events in their constituencies, marking the success of Matargashti- Har Umar ki … Providing digital platform, to advanced technology and all necessary services to the citizen, Chhattisgarh has changed for the good in the past few years paving a strong way for ‘Smart City Raipur’. Cities indeed have always marked the pinnacle of material achievement of a civilization, but they also hide the dedication, hard work and perseverance of the people who were involved in making it so, whether they are the visionar-

ies planning for it or the people accepting and adopting the changes. This metaphor for urbanisation and future urban development of smart city needs to be revived among all the citizens and visionaries who are going to be the part or smart city Raipur. Urbanisation is no doubt the future, but it not only means creating efficiencies by building concrete towers & bringing together all the facilities at one place but also exploring the organic growth of the city. Smart city is highly misunderstood with only integration of technology instead it also includes people’s participation for that growth, their approval and their acceptance. This is the vision of RMC Commissioner Rajat Bansal. All the projects attract positive point for the similar redevelopment of Jawahar Bazar and Ganj Mandi within smart city projects. But including positive points it also fetched some acceptance attitude required from Raipur. It highlights that wherever people observe uncertainty it is accomplished with flexibility. People need to accept that project with high flexibility that are applicable even after decades required Time and Patience. Thus, the vision and purpose, not perfection, must be made the milestones for judging the success and development of a well planned smart city, quoted Rajat Bansal, with the idea of ‘Mor Raipur’ to be justified.

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POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE / M MAHENDAR REDDY

Hyderabad City Police has recently launched many apps to empower the citizens to enhance their safety and security, says M Mahendar Reddy, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad City, in conversation with Harshal Desai of Elets News Network (ENN).

Hyderabad Police

Empowering The Citizens Digitally

P

lease elaborate how the Hawk Eye App will boost the security within the Hyderabad city? What inspired you to develop this app?

Mobile has become a cornerstone of the global economy. Use of mobile applications continues to grow rapidly driving new

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opportunities. Hyderabad City Police recognised the advent of smart mobile technology, its growth, and potential to broaden its adoption to a more transparent, cooperative and beneficial relationship between police and citizens. It has enabled to transform the ongoing police services delivery through citizen-centric interactive mobile app while enabling high standards for more open and participatory approach to understand the citizenry it serves. The mobile app of Hyder-

abad City Police named “Hawk Eye� was launched to the citizens of Hyderabad City keeping all this in mind. The GPS enabled mobile App is a technological innovation that converts the smartphone into a powerful emergency safety device where it facilitates the citizens, particularly women, to enhance their safety and security. The App comes to the rescue in the time of need, enhancing the safety. The SOS feature is essential in a distress, dangerous or emergency situation where it takes the GPS location of the person and sends alerts to the police network like the nearest patrol officers, station house officer, senior officers and central command centre for prompt response.

How this app is helpful for women? This app is extremely helpful for women who are travelling alone in the city as the mobile app acts as best friend and protector to collect and send the transport details while on travel and confirms reaching the destination safely. The details are captured in the police network to


M MAHENDAR REDDY \ POLICYMAKERS’ PERSPECTIVE

send emergency alerts to police network for prompt response and chosen registered people to let them know about a person whereabouts if anything goes wrong. Besides, the App acts as an open channel for citizens to lodge complaints, suggestions, violations or incidents and notify the police for corrective measures. The citizen can track the status of the logs and acknowledge its successful closure. The app also provides the police contact numbers for easy accessibility of police officers for addressing the concerns of citizen and creates a path to build strong relationship between the police and citizens. It also disseminates traffic information, and police station Facebook links for “happening events / incidents”.

What is HYDCOP Mobile App? This app empowers the “front-line police officers” for smart policing on par with global standards to work more effectively. The App is for the internal use of police officers and it offers crime patterns and trends, criminal history, demography details, etc, from internal applications and databases by the officers on their smart devices that acts as a decision support system.

What are the other initiatives you would like to highlight? City-wide IP based video surveillance system is one of the crucial steps. Effective and proactive city-wide video surveillance is proven to dramatically reduce crime, improve public safety, and heighten trust between police and community. It helps in punishing the suspect or criminal as “certainty of being caught, certainty of being convicted” Further, the Integrated Traffic Management System (ITMS) and geographic information system (GIS) based crime mapping and analysis are the two significant initiatives. ITMS has centrally managed and coordinated traffic signals to reduce congestion and moderate traffic speeds, smoothing traffic flow, reducing auto emissions and dramatic improvement of traffic discipline. The real-time video stream and sensor data enables traffic controllers to identify the problems and provide solutions that measure the performance and continu-

ous improvement. GIS-based crime mapping and analysis is the digital mapping of crime data disaggregated by location, type of crime, date and time, demography of victims and community assets. These variables can

or digital evidences to support every criminal investigation. The computer forensics and digital investigations have become an integral part of investigations. It scientifically examinines the

Effective and proactive city-wide video surveillance is proven to dramatically reduce crime, improve public safety, and heighten trust between police and community. be analysed in isolation or cross referenced. The geospatial and temporal analysis offer powerful insight into patterns and trends of crime as it allows for effective crime prevention and crime detection process. The amalgamation of Hyderabad police initiatives has resulted in significant reduction in overall crime rate by 8% year-on-year, particularly some of the perennial crimes, such as chain snatching has declined up to 66%, murders by 25%, serious/grave crimes by 31% and crime against women by 12%.

How significant is the role of Hyderabad Cyber Forensic Lab (HCFL)? Cyber forensic is an important aspect of every crime investigation and vital to criminal justice system. HCFL is a state-of-the-art laboratory equipped with modern tools and equipment for forensic analysis of physical

physical evidences collected from the scene of a crime or a person of interest. HCFL is playing a vital role in forensic analysis in every cybercrime investigation and collect strong evidences to augment the investigation and prosecution process.

What about Cyber Security Training for police force? The Cyber security training is the key component of building the police staff competencies. The tailored training solutions are planned and executed to impart on-job training with the aid of knowledge management with history of cases, use cases and trends in cyber security. The trainings are focused in the areas of cybercrime investigations and analysis, digital forensic and evidences, cybercrime processes in the areas of collection, analysis, preservation and cybercrime laws and legal framework.

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