Cisco to help network Bangalore

Networking giant Cisco has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Karnataka government as part of its worldwide Intelligent Urbanisation initiative. Under the MoU signed on Thursday, the state government and Cisco will roll out the ‘Intelligent Bengaluru’ pilot project. This project encompasses developing hi-tech solutions in the public space relating to areas like safety and security, transportation, buildings, power distribution, energy usage and environment conservation.

A pilot project will initially be carried out of the Kempe Gowda Bus Station in Bangalore, and later extended to other locations in the city depending on priority areas and concerns specific to each location, top Cisco officials said on Thursday.

As part of the pilot, Cisco will work with the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation and Karnataka police to improve public safety and security around the bus terminals.

The project will enable public safety and security at strategic points within the terminal by offering remote monitoring capabilities with real-time information relays.

The company did not disclose the amount of investments in the project with KSRTC, or names of locations identified for future pilot projects in the state.

Speaking on the occasion, Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa said public safety and security, healthcare and energy would be the government’s primary focus under the Intelligent Bengaluru project.

Cisco chairman and chief executive officer John Chambers said that governments are beginning to play more active roles by fostering public-private partnerships.

“This marks a fundamental shift in the way technology is being taken to the common man. In India, the Karnataka government has taken the lead in making technology part of public life and involving everybody as active shareholders in the process. Extending the reach of the network and information will be crucial to driving effective urban transformation,” Chambers said.

He said cities, which run on information, would transform the quality of life for citizens, drive economic growth, and improve city services and management.

“Particularly in these difficult economic times, cities which use the network to accelerate and multiply their infrastructure investments will be those which not only survive challenges, but thrive and lead into the future,” Chambers said.

Cisco’s Globalisation Centre East in Bangalore has been established as part of a total investment in India of $1.16 billion.

The San Jose, California-headquartered company, commenced operations in India in 1995 and today employs over 5,000 people, including R&D sales and business support staff. The company runs joint development centres with Wipro and Infosys in Bangalore, HCL Technologies in Chennai and Zensar Technologies in Pune.

Its key clients in India include Ford India, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Reliance, Bharti, BSNL, Life Insurance Corporation of India, Punjab National Bank, Future Group, Tata Group, Hindustan Unilever, Mahindra & Mahindra and Indian Oil Corporation.