As the name suggests, the integrated command-and-control centre (ICCC) works as a brain for all smart solutions implemented across a city, whether it is a surveillance system, smart traffic management, waste management, utilities management, environmental sensors or public information system. “An ICCC collates information for collaborative monitoring to analyse data for quicker decision-making,” says R Srinivasan, Executive Vice-President & Head, L&T Smart World and Communication. Through an ICCC, a centralised location, it is possible to quickly disseminate information to citizens on a real-time basis through variable message displays (VMD), PA systems, etc, to facilitate faster action and better management,” he explains. “For instance, the Mumbai command control system has detected over 15,000 crowd gathering incidents that could be managed well by the authorities. When Mumbai was lashed by heavy rains in 2018, the Maharashtra chief minister could get an overview of the situation at a CCC, and receive real-time feeds to initiate action.” He goes on: “Last month, we executed the first phase of a project to get Prayagraj, Kumbha Mela-ready in record time. We developed and installed a whole range of smart solutions including an intelligent traffic management system (ITMS), VMD, a surveillance system, a 24×7 call centre and a solid waste management system, all connected to a dedicated 24×7 city operations centre with integrated dashboard for an eagle’s-eye view of municipal functions enabling real-time, data-driven decision-making and actionable insights. Also, recently, two state-of-the-art CCCs have been set up: one at the Kumbh-specific area and another at Police Lines for overall city surveillance.” Srinivasan also tells us about the Panaji Smart City project, which the company is implementing. “It envisages the establishment of city-wide network Wi-Fi services, city surveillance, ICT-enabled solid waste management, environmental sensors, ITMS, smart parking and an ICCC enhancing the experience of its citizens and tourists. One of the unique features of the project is the security operations centre (SOC), which is the first of its kind in the smart city domain.”