Hyderabad, a confluence of ancient cultural heritage and rapid modernisation, is one of the important educational, business and trade centres in the country.The Hyderabad MetropolitanArea is witnessing rapid urbanisation due to business and employment opportunities as well as a better living environment, making it the fourth-most populous city and the sixth-most populous urban agglomeration in the country. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is a pioneer in the planning, development and management of civic amenities to improve the quality of life of its citizens.

Based on the accomplishments in service delivery and consequently, the improvement in the quality of life, Hyderabad has qualified as one of the 100 cities to be developed as a Smart City under the Smart Cities Missionof the Government of India. GHMC is currently in the process of formulating its Smart City Proposal to participate and compete in the nationwide Smart City Challenge.

GHMC has launched a comprehensive citizen engagement programme at multiple levels, which is an integral part of Hyderabad’s Smart City Proposal. In order to guide the preparation of the Smart City Proposal, it is essential that a vision for Hyderabad—based on the needs, perceptions and aspirations of its citizens—is carved out.

As part of this engagement, GHMC is seeking input from its citizens in the form of comments, suggestions, smart solutions and ideas to enable area development and pan-city improvement in the following priority sectors:

A. Area Development Plan

1. Retrofitting of the existing area
2. Redevelopment of the area
3. Greenfield development

B. Pan-city Improvement Plan

1. Transportation and mobility: Connectivity, pedestrian facilities, bicycle facilities, parking, signals and flyovers, road quality, public transport system
2. Solid waste management: Cleanliness in public places, dustbins, waste collection coverage and system, transportation, treatment and recycling
3. Environment and sustainability: Water body conservation, rainwater harvesting, cleanliness and ambience, tree cover/plantation, open spaces and parks, pollution control
4. Safety, security, and disaster management: Lighting on roads and in public places, woman and child safety, senior citizen safety, CCTV-based city surveillance, disaster management and response mechanism
5. Housing: Encroachments and slum rehabilitation, affordable housing
6. Water supply: Quality and quantity of water supply, metering, operation and management, services
7. Sewage:Collection, treatment and recycling/reuse
8. Storm water drainage: Waterlogging, discharge of drains and disposal
9. Sanitation: Public toilets, maintenance and services
10. E-governance and citizen/tourist facilities
11. Robust IT connectivity and digitalisation
12. Health services
13. Education
14. Other areas of improvement

Citizens are requested to participate in the engagement programme actively and contribute towards transforming Hyderabad into a Smart City through this online endeavour. Citizens can also reach us through the official Hyderabad Smart City website: www.hyderabadsmartcity.com, which is a nodal site for Hyderabad for all information on the Smart City Challenge.

Kindly, post your views and idea till 15th November, 2015.