The Bandra-Kurla Complex is set to become the first smart district in India's financial capital with authorities calling for bids to complete the project by the end of this financial year. Under the Smart BKC project, MMRDA plans to provide mainly five services--public wi-fi, smart parking to book a slot instead of going round looking for one, smart solar street lighting, a citizen portal or apps to spot utilities--or even help book a restaurant table-and video analytics-based CCTV cameras that can alert agencies about thefts or suspicious activities. As part of its Smart BKC project, MMRDA plans to bring 175 hectares in the Bandra-Kurla Complex under wi-fi connectivity . “The internet speed will be 5 MBPS and operators may allow visitors free usage for the initial few minutes and then charge as per the prevailing market rates,“ said a senior official.
The agency has invited expressions of interest for the project. “It can be executed by March 2015, by and large on cash contract. The estimated cost will be ascertained only after the proposals,“ said metropolitan commissioner U P S Madan. The Build-OperateTransfer (BOT) model is also under consideration.
As part of the project, a smart parking concept will be implemented across all the 3,000 parking slots in BKC. A person entering BKC can prebook a slot online or arrive at the place, check out the spaces available on his mobile phone or display boards and make straight for them. “The initiative will help save almost 19,000 litres fuel and 24 tons of carbon annually as a car owner will not waste time hunting for parking,“ said the official.
Another environment friendly initiative in the pipeline is the solar smart street lighting system. The system will be almanac-based, so that the brightness of the street light can increase or decrease according to the natural light and do away with wastage of power. “This will help us earn carbon credit because of the use of green energy . Moreover, energy generated through the solar panels will be put into the grid,“ explained the official. Mobile charging points will also be provided at various places in BKC.
Around 90 CCTV cameras with video analytics-based technology will be installed to boost security in the financial hub. This system will have the fixed geography of the area -houses, street furniture, etc-fed into its memory . Anything not matching the mapped memory , like an accident or an injured man on the road, will be spotted and alerts will be sent to hospitals and cops.The cameras will help prevent theft, defiling of public property and identify suspicious movement. It will ensure improved coordination between security agencies, the official said.
With the citizen portal, users can get information about cafes, or book tables in restaurants or rooms in hotels, or locate a hospital or retail outlet.
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