India's Rashtrapati Bhavan transformed into a smart township with IBM Smart City Solutions

NEW DELHI: US-based tech giant, IBM has announced that its Smart City solutions have been deployed for the digital transformation of the Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential Residence), is the official home of the President of India, located in New Delhi, India.

The Presidential Estate spread across 330 acres of land and home to over 5000 residents, the self-sustained Presidential Estate is adopting IBM’s technology and solutions to become future ready. The Intelligent Operations Center addresses challenges that are inherent to townships - water supply, security, electrical infrastructure and solid waste management. The transformation of the estate into a smart township is customized to further enhance the efficiency of critical infrastructure and utilities.

The partnership to reimagine the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the Digital age was announced at an event graced by the President, Pranab Mukherjee. The occasion also saw the presence of the, Union Minister of Urban Development Venkaiah Naidu, Union Minister of Communications & IT, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Secretary to the President, Madam Omita Paul and Vanitha Narayanan, Managing Director, IBM India Pvt. Ltd.

IBM‘s IOC helps collect and make sense of the rich data streaming in from several sources within the Estate to provide actionable insights. It offers integrated data visualization, near real-time collaboration and deep analytics to help enhance the ongoing efficiency that will improve the efficiency of services for its residents. A Citizens Mobile App, created by IBM IOC, was also launched, which allows residents to report issues using the web and mobile. The data from reported observation will be supplied to city offices, where they can use the insights to make informed decisions.

The Rashtrapati Bhavan has stood witness to India’s transformation through the decade - right from independence to the digital era. The progressive outlook is further exemplified by the digital transformation that enhances its reputation as being the office and residence of the President of the largest democracy in the world.

Speaking on the occasion, Mukherjee said “I’m happy to have inaugurated the Intelligent Operation centre (IOC) and launched a mobile application monitor towards the smart President’s estate. At the outset, I congratulate Team Rashtrapati Bhavan and Team IBM for the conceptualization, collaboration and quick implementation of this important project aimed at converting the estate into a smart township,"

"The smart presidential estate is a replicable model which can be replicated in other parts of the country through citizen’s engagement, public and private sector participation and deployment of intensive technologies. We are in the process of replicating our Rashtrapati Bhavan experience of smart township by applying and transferring our knowledge and expertise to five villages in an adjoining state," he added.

Further on the announcement, Omita Paul ( IAS) Secretary to the President said “This is an important day for us as the Honourable President inaugurates the Intelligent Operation Centre and the mobile application monitor for the presidential estate. This sustainable township is the realization of the Presidents vision to create a 3H township, humane, high-tech and heritage township which ensures enhanced quality of life and contributes to the happiness and well-being of its residents.

"Under his direction we have worked towards creating such a township by improving its physical and social infrastructure. Our achievements so far include a sewage treatment plant which recycles 80% of the sewage water of the estate, creation of e-platforms for the management of visitors , invitations, guests, functions, gifts, introduction of RFID based smart identity cards, smart cards for cashless shopping. The success of this smart presidential estate will serve as inspiration for the country for the transformation of its townships and villages," she added.

“Rashtrapati Bhavan is an iconic representation of India’s Smart City vision. It is a proud moment for all of us and the beginning of a great journey. We are honored to be their partner in enabling this transformation.” said, Vanitha Narayanan, MD, IBM India Pvt. Ltd.

As a part of this strategic engagement, IBM developed the vision and detailed roadmap for the transformation of the Presidents estate into a smart township. IBM has created the business architecture and operating procedures, implemented the technology platform and solutions, and is managing the entire technology deployment. For the Presidential Estate’s progressive digital transformation IBM will provide the following:

Smart Energy Management: With over 1500 residential apartment and well-lit open spaces the Presidential Estate consumes over one-lakh units of electricity per day. IBM integrated its IOC system with electrical billing system. Data on consumption patterns of consumers, public and common areas, within the estate, is being collected to optimize energy management. Additionally, newer, eco-friendly technology such as solar power, LED lamps for street lighting and other applications to reduce energy consumptions are deployed.

Smart Water Management: The water management at the Estate relied heavily on manual intelligence. IBM mapped all water domain assets such as underground water reservoirs, pump locations and tube well assets. The entire water distribution pipeline was mapped on a Geographical Information Systems (GIS) layer. Through IBM IOC system accurate information about the distribution network will enable faster diagnostic and resolution of water incidents. Moreover, residents will be able to track complains in real-time.

Smart Waste and Horticulture Management: IBM mapped waste management end to end from waste bin collections, rickshaw routes, disposals, landfill, and processing, on to its IOC system. An interface was created for people to generate statistics on different kinds of waste. Digitized waste lifecycle statistics and trends helped relevant departments analyze insights and improve processes to enable timely actions. A Mobile App platform assists teams in maintaining a cleaner Estate.

Smart Security Systems: IBM integrated its IOC system with e-visitor to facilitate analyses of all visitors’ statistics. IBM IOC is also leveraged for auto alerts and to generate notifications for upcoming events enabling teams to collaborate across departments and plan collectively for an upcoming event.

IOC is part of IBMs Industry solutions software portfolio, which provides software solutions across the operational spectrum of Smarter Cities solutions. Industry solutions software portfolio gives IBM clients access to real world industry-specific solutions that are delivered around the world for over a decade with implementation services using practices developed by IBM and its partners through numerous Smarter Cities engagements.