Surat partners with Microsoft to become smart city

The technology giant will process automation and citizen services

In a bid to transform Surat into a smart city, Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) and Microsoft India on Friday announced their partnership, a statement issued by the company said. The city has selected the technology giant for process automation and citizen services.

With Microsoft's help, the civic body will evaluate technology infrastructure to meet the citizens' changing needs.

Announcing the partnership, Milind Torawane, Surat Municipal Commissioner, said, "With 80 percent of the world's diamonds being processed here and 40 percent of country's textile demand being met by the city, it becomes important to leverage technology as an enabler of constant modernization."

"Over the course of the next few months, we will work with Microsoft and its partners, Iconics and SoftTech, on solutions for water management and urban planning (building plan approvals). These along with other similar solutions will help us keep the citizen at the centre of our development and fulfill our smart city vision," Torawane added.

Commenting on the announcement, Niranjan Zanzmera, Surat Mayor said, "By transforming Surat into a smart city, we are setting a benchmark for other cities in the country on how IT solutions can help empower citizens and address cities biggest challenges and fuel economic growth."

On Microsoft's partnership with the Surat civic body, Neeraj Gill, general manager - public sector, Microsoft India said, "Through a people-centric approach, we are focused on partnering with Surat in its next phase of transformation - by modernizing now and innovating for the future. Our global experience in implementing this program in cities around the world - from Paris to Chicago - puts us in a unique position to contribute to Surat."