Explore chances in Smart City project

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have an important role to play in implementing Smart City project and they should leverage technology to make a significant contribution, said speakers at a discussion on the project here on Wednesday.

The meeting was organised by Tamil Nadu Small and Tiny Industries Association (TANSTIA)- FNF Service Centre, Friedrich Naumann Stiftung Foundation and the Tiruchi District Tiny and Small Scale Industries Association (TIDITSSIA) to provide an overview of the project and the role of SMEs.

Simon Thomas, Local Director, Strategic Consulting, Jones Lang LaSalle Property Consultants (India) Pvt.Ltd., the consultant who prepared the Smart City proposal for the Tiruchi Corporation in 2015 and 2016, said SMEs would have an important role to play as the project reaches the implementation stage though their scope was not quite visible now. “However, SMEs have to focus on technology-based solutions and innovations.” He suggested that the small industries association have an interaction with the corporation officials to brief them on their technical capability and explore the opportunities for them in the project.

Mr.Thomas said that Tiruchi has opted for retrofitting of the Rockfort area covering an area of about seven square km around the landmark.

This would cover Thillai Nagar, Woraiyur, Gandhi Market, Thennur, Chathram Bus Stand and Amma Mandapam areas. Besides, components for pan city development was planned. The project sought to implement smart solutions to improve living and working conditions in the selected cities, he said.

C.Babu, Chairman, TANSTIA-FNF Service Centre and President, TANSTIA, said similar meetings were organised in other cities to help small and medium industries to explore opportunities.

Ashok Sundaresan, president, BHEL Small Scale Industries Association, said there was a need for small scale units to diversify and they can explore the scope offered by the Smart City project.

Later, Vivek Sridhar, CEO, Shiroi Energy, made a presentation on the ‘Energy management solutions in smart cities.’

N.Kanagasabapathy, president, and S.Punniyamurthy, secretary, TIDITSSIA, spoke.

Source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/explore-chances-in-smart-city-project/article19800460.ece