‘Intelligent Bengaluru’ is the goal

Bangalore: Cisco to help Karnataka Govt develop road map for sustainable projects.
An intelligent and sustainable Bangalore: This is what a pilot programme unveiled recently in the city plans to achieve.

The effort will see global networking major Cisco assisting the Government of Karnataka in developing a road map for an intelligent and sustainable Bangalore. This project is part of Cisco’s global “Intelligent Urbanisation” initiative, designed to help cities around the world use the network as the fourth utility for integrated city management, a better quality of life for citizens, and economic development.

Cisco has already signed a memorandum of understanding with Karnataka; its Intelligent Urbanisation projects are running in San Jose, London, Barcelona and Incheon. According to the MoU, Cisco will share relevant experiences and best practices from these experiences.

With the number of people living in urban areas projected to grow from three billion today to five billion by 2030, urbanisation is a global trend impacting citizens, governments, and industries, said Mr John Chambers, Chairman and CEO, Cisco, at the launch of the initiative. This trend will also significantly impact the environment – the 20 most populous cities alone are responsible for 75 per cent of the planet’s energy consumption, he said.

It is estimated that technology can reduce carbon emissions by 15 per cent by 2020; an environmental saving of 1 tonne of carbon dioxide per capita translates into $946 billion in financial savings. “Additionally, cities that run on information can improve their energy efficiency by 30 per cent within 20 years,” said Mr Wim Elfrink, Chief Globalisation Officer, and EVP-Cisco Services.

It is against such a scenario that the concept of network as the next utility gains significance.
Developed by CCRE.

Mr Chambers said that that choosing Bangalore was a “huge advantage as all our partners are here and the Government here understands the value of IT.” The first project under the “Intelligent Bengaluru” initiative has been designed and developed by CCRE (Cisco Connected Real Estate) from the company’s Globalisation Centre East.

It will help bring in public safety and security at strategic points within Bangalore’s City Bus Terminal, offering remote monitoring capabilities with real-time information. The pilot is expected to run for three to six months at the terminal and Cisco would later extend intelligent solutions in the areas of transportation, buildings, energy, healthcare and education for the State Government. “These initiatives have the potential to bring in a billion-dollar revenue from each of these streams for Cisco,” said Mr Chambers at the launch.

“The signing of the MoU and the presence of its Globalisation Centre East in Bangalore gives Cisco the opportunity to work closely with the authorities and apply its knowledge and experience to play a role in Bangalore city’s transformation,” said Mr Syed Hoda, Chief of Staff, Cisco Globalisation Centre.

The timeline for completion of the project will only be known after the project roadmap is completed on a joint basis, he said. He did not share investment details of this project.
Cities that run on information will transform the quality of life for citizens, drive economic growth, and improve city services and management, said Mr Hoda. “Particularly in these difficult economic times, cities that use the network to accelerate and multiply their infrastructure investments will be those that not only survive challenges but thrive and lead into the future.”
Mr Hoda said the company is keen on partnering other States as well as developing sustainable solutions for future “intelligent cities”.