Bhat has suggested a four-pronged strategy to deal with the challenges.

"There are so many challenges that we have to overcome. Lack of basic amenities, disconnect between the state authorities and the communities as well as inefficient use of resources, needs to be addressed," said renowned environmentalist GK Bhat, chairman of Taru, Leading Edge Pvt. Ltd, a trans-disciplinary management consultancy that has been working on India's development challenges.

Universal access to basic amenities

A smart city should be able to people from different classes should have access to the basic amenities such as water, electricity and gas among others for 24x7. "A smart city model should have the government give a common point supply to all the localities. From thereon, each household can take a connection as per their requirement. Anything above their requirement will attract extra cost. This way, we can ensure that everyone has equal access to the basic facilities that one should in a smart city," he suggested.

Taking a dig at the Aam Aadmi party's subsidy policy, Bhat noted that the concept of subsidies will not work in a smart city as the rich will go for the alternate. "Subsidies do not help but only delays the problem," he asserted.

Smooth flow of information 24x7

The state authorities should know what is happening in a smart city.

Provide proper infrastructure to ensure shock proof cities

Citing the example of metros such as Delhi, Bhat noted that the city is unable to handle the weather shock when it rains heavily. "A smart city is one, which should be able to withstand weather shocks. In metropolitan cities such as Delhi and Mumbai, heavy rains have resulted in waterlogging and floods respectively. A smart city should have proper infrastructure to deal with any unwarranted situations such as heavy rains or power blackouts," he said.

Devolving the system

In a smart city, every stakeholder should be equally involved in its planning. Hence, every stakeholder - government and the local bodies, the lower income group and the creme-de-la creme or the private sector and finally the communities, should participate in the planning. "There should be consultation while planning a smart city. Also, the system should be devolved in order to ensure efficient flow of work," suggested Bhat.

Substantiating his point, Bhat explained that a smart city should be inclusive of the preferences of those involved.