German institute to help TN smart city projects

Chennai: The State government has signed an agreement with a German institute to develop a smart city innovation lab. Under the agreement the Stuttgart Fraunhofer engineering institute will provide technical expertise for proposed smart cities in Tamil Nadu.

According to sources, the local administration ministry has signed a MoU with the German think tank firm for automation and execution of smart city projects in TN.

Under the first phase, the foreign institute will work with Coimbatore Smart City Ltd for a period of three years. City administrative policies, urban development and engineering are some of the subjects in which interactive sessions are to be held as part of the project.

Based on the experience, the project will be extended to other smart city projects proposed in the state.

The German company will also discuss issues of transportation, engineering, and information technology that are essential in building a smart city. Global experts in these areas will be roped in as part of the agreement to share their expertise in developing TN cities, sources disclosed, adding that the German funding agents are also helping the smart city projects mooted t union urban development ministry.