Under Green City Mission project there are several components where ULBs/Development authorities will be able to execute any schemes which come under following categories like:

(a) Greening:

Urban afforestation, beautification of public spaces, nature-friendly parks, pocket forests, avenue plantation, hedges and green creepers as view cutters, rooftop farming, kitchen gardens, vertical gardens and floriculture/ tall tree nurseries are some examples of activities that can be taken up. The ratio of open spaces to built-up spaces may be enhanced beyond minimum norms whenever feasible. Land available with public institutions including schools/ colleges/ universities, office complexes etc may be greened in consultation with Forest Experts.

The Mission also encourages “Blue-ing” through conservation of water-bodies, encouraging water-based recreation (boating, fishing etc) and canal/ water-front greening and beautification.

Cleaning and beautification programmes is a priority. “Nirmal Bangla” is implemented in letter and spirit so that there is no littering and adequate dust-bins are available in public spaces. Public Pay-and-Use toilets, for men and women, near every few bus stops and markets are to be done. Control of

(i) Visual pollution (hanging cables, hoardings etc)
(ii) Air Pollution (dust and vehicle emissions) and
(iii) Sound Pollution (unnecessary horns, microphones in silent zones) will be taken up and monitored.

(b) Energy positive:

The Mission envisages that Solar panels with net metering facilities should be installed in rooftops, canal-tops, bus-shelters and even on water-bodies on floating blocks or as sheds in car parking areas. LED lights in street lights and at all places including homes should be encouraged. All new buildings should be encouraged to be green certified. All norms laid down by ECBC (Energy Conservation Building Code), State Government Policy on Renewal Energy and Building Rules insofar as they relate to energy conservation matters should be followed.

Cycle tracks and cycle stands may be made to encourage last-mile mobility in a safe manner and for this traffic control should also be made cyclist friendly. Electric vehicles including e-rickshaws should be encouraged. Pre-paid quick charge stations should be available in fuel pumps. Wastewater recycling, rainwater harvesting (“Jal Dharo Jal Bharo”), energy saving light sensors and efficient appliances should be adopted. Solid waste should be segregated and recycled and used to make RDF (Refuse Derived Fuels).

While making the energy plan, efforts should be made to adopt a clear timeline with annual reduction in net energy required out of fossil fuels so that after a certain number of years the city is zero energy or energy positive entity.

(c) Sustainable Public Transport

Public transport modes including Public Bus, Metro Rail, electric buses, e-three-wheelers, car pooling, bike taxi and public cycles sharing schemes may be adopted whenever appropriate. Bus shelter and bus stands should have real-time information on bus information including convergence with ITS (Intelligent Transportation System). To make people adopt to public transport rather than personal cars, the bus shelters may be made vibrant and passenger friendly by making flower shops, newspaper stands, tea corner and mobile charging and even free Wi Fi Hotspot near these.

Special emphasis should be given to address parking needs near commercial centres like cinema houses, markets etc in consultation with traffic police. There should be a planned parking policy and use may be made of card operated automatic boom barriers to control parking lots, optimise city revenue and give apps based information on availability of parking slots to incoming motorists.

(d) Technology efficient:

A futuristic green city should have a Wi Fi backbone and free Wi Fi Hot Spots at all public parks, bus stands and important public spaces. Wi Fi services may be used for important citizen announcements including traffic and safety messages. Internet-of-Things (IoT) concepts can be used on top of Wi Fi network to enhance delivery of public services. IoT devices would focus on business revolving around wearables, smart homes, connected car appliances, security systems, vehicle safety services etc. Tele-medicine, educational support and digital literacy may also be included in the Green City Plan so that need to travel is reduced. Underground utility tunnels for wet (water pipe, waste water, storm water etc) and dry (Optical Fibre, electric cables, telephone lines etc) may be planned in Greenfield new townships. GPS tracking of compactors/ trucks and RFID sensors in vats or storages for IT enabled Solid Waste Management should be used. Intelligent modem enabled Electric Meters, SCADA controlled water supply network and city wide rainwater harvesting methods may be adopted in Green Cities.

(e) Safety and Security:

A Green City must also be a space where people feel safe and secure. CCTVs would be placed on all important traffic crossings not only to ensure compliance with traffic rules but also to see that citizens, especially women are safe, through intelligent video surveillance. Emergency buttons can be located at few public spaces which, when pressed, will send a location specific message to the nearest police patrol car and police control room.

A combined Command and Control Centre for Disaster Management, both natural and man-made accidents/ terrorisms, may be set up by converging Police, Fire Services, Health, Relief and Disaster Management Departments on the one hand, and inputs from CCTV, Social Media and Voice Call Management inputs on the other hand.

(f) Quality Control and Public Grievance Management

In all matters of construction of homes, offices, roads or bridges, quality control should be a matter of prime importance. Special test laboratories may be set up where even an ordinary citizen can get his home construction checked for quality and consistency. Complaint management by ULBs should be web based or call-centre based and citizens should get timely feedback through SMS alerts. All city based services such as mutation, death and birth certificates, trade licence, food licence, driving licence etc should be made on-line along with help desks for the web-challenged persons.

(g) Better quality of life for all residents in a sustainable manner

The Green City Plan must make the city walk-friendly for all sections of the residents especially the seniors and physically challenged persons. All footpaths should be wheel-chair friendly. All steps between blacktop road and footpath must be replaced with ramps to make

it easier for the knees of seniors. Pavements should have useful street furniture and shade trees and hedges planned effectively. Unplanned encroachment by food-stalls and hawkers should be avoided but planned facilities including benches, tea kiosks, dust-bins, water ATM, toilets, Wi Fi hotspots and solar rain sheds may be set up to let people walk easily. Few “pedestrians-only” streets can be set up.

(h) Innovation Recognition

Annually, cities, individuals, corporate, clubs, associations, officers, businessmen and public representatives can be awarded prizes for adopting innovative methods towards fulfilment of Green City Mission