Public participation is the key to success of the smart city project.

AGRA (India) : The city's municipal corporation is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that citizens get to have their say in the smart city project. The civic agency will use various communication tools to encourage public participation. Opening Twitter and Facebook accounts, setting up a hotline, use of radio and organizing essay competitions in schools and colleges, are but a few examples of the administration's public outreach, officials said. Further, a van will go to various parts of the city, seeking feedback and suggestions from the public. They have also prepared a questionnaire to gather information. Mayor of Agra Indrajeet Arya said people will be asked to give their suggestions on several components that are a part of the smart city project. He said public participation was key to success of the smart city project. Some of the key aspects of the project are health care, safety, security and disaster management, education, tourism and heritage, housing, waste management, sanitation and environment, water, transport, employment and infrastructure convenience in the city. Agra is bidding with 87 other cities in the country to be developed into a smart city in the first lot through a competition. Twenty cities will be shortlisted in the first phase. Rules state that a city will be selected on the basis of on its present status (30%) and on the detailed project report (70%) prepared by local authorities.