CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -Japan has decided to assist India with the development of Chennai, Ahmedabad and Varanasi as smart cities. The same was conveyed on Thursday by Japan’s Ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu during his meeting with Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu.

Detailed explanation-2: -Varanasi, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi represents in the Lok Sabha, will be developed into a ‘smart city’ by using the experience of Kyoto, the ‘smart city’ of Japan, under a pact signed here on Saturday.

Detailed explanation-3: -Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Smart Cities Mission in India on June 25, 2015. The project aims to improve the quality of life for people living in India and drive economic growth. Almost 31% of the population of India lives in cities, and they contribute 63% of GDP, as per the data collected in Census 2011.

Detailed explanation-4: -Indore. This city in Madhya Pradesh ranks high as a smart city in India. It has won many awards for categories ranging from waste management to heritage conservation. The retrofitting ideas in the city have made it sustainable and efficient.

Detailed explanation-5: -Several smart city initiatives have been introduced in Ahmedabad ranging from transit management, city surveillance, e-governance, Integrated Command and Control Centers, digital payments in utilities and many more.