DoT launches digital twin initiative for building ‘smart infrastructure’

The Department of Telecommunications, on Thursday, launched a digital twin project for future infrastructure planning and design. Called Sangam: Digital Twin initiative, it aims at leveraging technologies such as 5G/6G, internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR), and other next-generation computational technologies for building ‘smart infrastructure’.

The department has also inviting expression of interest from industry players, startups, MSMEs, and academia. Currently in the proof of concept stage, the Sangam initiative is distributed in two stages to be conducted in one of the major Indian cities. The first stage would be exploratory, followed by practical demonstration of specific use cases. This future blueprint could also serve as a roadmap to scale and replicate in future infrastructure projects, the department’s media note said. 

Digital twins of cities is a concept that is gaining momentum globally. Singapore, Dubai, Auckland, Helinski, and US states such as Boston, Colarado and Orlando, among others already have their digital twins. 

To be sure, the Government of India launched Smart Cities Mission was launched in 2015 that promotes creation of core infrastructure and amenities to offer citizens spaces to lead good quality of life, through application of smart technology solutions. In November 2023, Survey of India, National Mapping Agency, and Genesys joined hands for a 3D Digital Twin mapping program in India to aid the Smart Cities Mission, along with other flagship government schemes such as PM GatiShakti and SVAMITVA. Genesys has already worked on similar programs. Just last year, the geospatial tech company was selected for deploying its digital twin mapping technology for Mumbai’s Dharavi region, and the Holy City of Mecca.