For the second consecutive year, Coimbatore City Corporation has been awarded as the "Best Municipality" among other corporations selected from across the country. The award was given at the 49th Skoch summit held at Constitution Club of India, New Delhi.
Among several parameters, the projects that won the "Best Municipality" award for Coimbatore Corporation was based on innovation, replicability and uniqueness.
One among the projects was the 'Smart Tree' project by the City Corporation which won majority of the votes from the jury and the delegation present at the 49th Skoch Awards held at New Delhi. .
The presentation from Coimbatore Corporation on 'Smart Tree' was highly appreciated by the jury and it is to be noted that nowhere across the nation such project had been implemented ever. Based on that criteria, Coimbatore Corporation was awarded the "Best Municipality" for implementing innovative and unique projects.
The smart tree benches are solar -powered with in-built air quality monitor and WiFi facility which is installed in a lounge area of 400 square feet on an artificial grass surface in the City Corporation Office.
The air quality monitoring device implemented at the Smart tree also received accolades from the delegation, as Coimbatore Corporation has aced by sourcing these devices cost-effectively. Generally, the price of such devices are quoted a few lakhs in the market, however Coimbatore Corporation has acquired them for a cost of Rs. 50,000/- each.
Adding to this, it is likely that these Smart Tree models by Coimbatore Corporation would be replicated by other corporations' in their cities during the course of time. The "Best Municipality" award was also shared by Pune Corporation.