One Mega Event explored how cities can better govern through policy, technology and innovations to create integrated urban solutions for a more live-able and sustainable future.
Companies from across the globe gathered at the three-day show, hoping to secure a showcase for the most adaptive street lights, innovative solar systems, intelligent building materials, low-cost sensors, WiFi-enabled smart devices, connected vehicles, eco-friendly electric rickshaws.
Durga Shankar Mishra, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development, said, “I’m quite impressed with the various exhibits I saw at the expo. One Mega Event provides an opportunity to learn upfront about the latest technology in various fields, i.e. transport, water, solar and green buildings. The show features exciting innovations already being introduced in cities as well as those which could become reality in the near future, and these solutions are very useful for the newly formed special purpose vehicles (SPVs) to expedite the process of development of smart cities.”
An interesting example showcased at One Mega Event is Water-Gen and Vikram Solar’s environmental and humanitarian water solutions. Water-Gen has developed a cutting-edge air to water generating technology and line of products for household use and large scale AWG modular units for generating clean drinking water from the atmosphere, with an aim to improve the quality and quantity of clean and accessible water in the world. Water-Gen products can work with regular electricity connections or solar panels.
Meanwhile, at the Mayor’s Conclave, all underscored the important role that cities must play for sustainable growth. They elaborated on steps needed to transform their cities into great places to live and work.
Dr. Ramanath Sonawane, Additional Commissioner, Nagpur, Municipal Corporation, pointed out, “The three main requisites for good governance are: citizens elect worthy representatives; these elected representatives elect good bureaucrats; these elected representatives and the bureaucrats together understand the needs of the citizens well.”
Supporting India’s Smart Cities Mission, Patrick Santillo, Minister –Counselor for Commercial Affairs, US Embassy, affirmed, “US companies can act as valuable partners for the mission. For successful implementation of plans at the city level, it is important for city leaders to take value based decisions rather than institution based decisions for improved governance. Citizen engagement will make the entire process holistic in nature.”
