Design a 'smart app' to improve your city, win Rs 1 lakh

Greater Noida: Tech enthusiasts and students have an opportunity to develop a ‘smart city’ mobile app for Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) and win Rs 1 lakh cash prize.

The app, to be submitted to the GNIDA for competition, should allow residents to bring problems related to various facets of life in the city directly to the Authority.

The move is part of the preparations of the UN Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Cities initiative, in which Noida and Greater Noida were selected to participate. The winner of the app contest will be awarded on the last day of the four-day Winter Carnival which will be held from January 25 to 28.

Narendra Bhooshan, CEO of GNIDA, said the competition aims to promote research and innovation among local tech enthusiasts and also ensure citizen engagement. “The mobile app will be judged on its usability, novelty, functionality, impact and design aesthetics. The suggestions received on the app will go a long way in improving the quality of life and the relationship between the Authority and citizens,” he said.

The mobile application should be supported both on Android and iOS. Once chosen, it can help in solving common civic issues like sanitation, public safety, transport, communication, etc. Students, individuals, universities, colleges and NGOs can participate in the programme. Applicants can register for the competition online through GNIDA’s website—www.greaternoidaauthority.in. The last date for submission of the app is January 24. The results will be declared on January 25 at Mihir Bhoj Park in Greater Noida.

The first prize winner will receive a certificate and a cash award of Rs 1 lakh. Competitors who get second and third positions will be awarded with Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000 cash respectively.

To engage residents, GNIDA will also organise an “Ideathon” contest, inviting residents’ suggestions, and take appropriate measures on different issues. Residents can share ideas for civic issues like improving sanitation works, traffic management, women’s safety, patrolling, maintenance of parks, employment generation, business development, dysfunctional street lights, use of water resources, solar power, public transport, etc. The top three ideas would be shortlisted and the winners would get certificates and cash prize of Rs 50,000, Rs 25,000, Rs 11,000.