Government Launches EatSmart Cities Challenge And Transport4 All Challenge

With a dual aim of developing healthy eating habits among people along with digital solutions for safe public transport in smart cities, the government has launched two initiatives — EatSmart Cities Challenge and Transport4 All Challenge — involving competitions among cities.

Launching the twin challenges at an online event, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Puri said, “It is a matter of pride that we see the Eat Right India approach getting scaled up to the smart cities level with the launch of EatSmart Cities Challenge. This movement will nudge the urban populace to make the right food choices and help build a healthier and happier nation. This will complement the remarkable work being done in the Smart Cities Mission."

On the Transport4 All Challenge, Puri said that Covid-19 has brought the entire world to a halt with transport being one of the worst-hit sectors.

He added that the Transport4 All Digital Innovation Challenge will support cities to recover from this mobility crisis.

The EatSmart Cities Challenge aims to motivate Smart Cities to develop a plan that supports a healthy, safe and sustainable food environment supported by institutional, physical, social, and economic infrastructure along with the application of ‘smart’ solutions to combat food related issues.

The Transport4 All Digital Innovation Challenge aims to develop digital solutions that will make public transport safe, affordable, comfortable, and reliable for all.

Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary Durga Shanker Mishra said that the ministry is very happy to launch the Transport4 All Digital Innovation Challenge to support the cities and startups all over the country to move towards digital transformation in urban mobility.

Further Mishra said that EatSmart Cities Challenge is an opportunity for India to play a pioneering role in developing the concept of integrating food systems into city planning and development to provide people with healthy, safe and nourishing diet.

The ‘Eat Right India’ movement organised by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has gone a long way in creating awareness amongst the people about eating safe, healthy and sustainably.

Arun Singhal, chief executive officer, FSSAI said that Eat Smart Cities Challenge will have a positive impact on the lives of urban population by motivating them to eat right. He added that it will be a game changer in creating social and behavioural change towards food safety, hygiene and nutrition.

The EatSmart Cities Challenge is envisioned as a competition among cities to recognise their efforts in adopting and scaling up various initiatives under Eat Right India.

This unique challenge, in partnership with Smart Cities Mission will create an environment of right food practices and habits, strengthen the food safety and regulatory environment, build awareness among the consumers and urge them to make better food choices in India’s major cities and can set an example for other cities to follow.

The challenge is open to all Smart Cities, capital cities of states/UTs, and cities with a population of more than 5 lakh. At the end of the first phase of the challenge, 11 cities will be selected for deeper engagement for an extended period to implement their vision.

Transport4 All Challenge

Indian cities have the golden opportunity to invest in public transport as a social good, completely revamp informal transit services, and prioritise digital innovation to improve user experience.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs launched the Transport4 All challenge in collaboration with ITDP. The challenge aims to bring together cities, citizen groups, and start-ups to develop solutions that improve public transport to better serve the needs of all citizens.

At the core of the challenge are citizens who will not only define the problems for which solutions shall be created but also help startups and cities to refine the solutions to meet their needs.

The first edition of the challenge focuses on digital innovation. Cities and start-ups will receive guidance to develop and test various solutions, learn from them, and scale them to build people’s trust in public transport and enhance their mobility.

The solutions will make public transport—formal as well as informal — safe, convenient, and affordable for all.