Lok Sabha Question No. 3020 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-21
Subject: Data about Cities
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Parvesh Sahib Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3020

## TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 21, 2023

## DATA ABOUT CITIES

NO. 3020:  SHRI PARVESH SAHIB SINGH VERMA:

Will  the  Minister  of  HOUSING  AND  URBAN  AFFAIRS  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) the current measures and initiatives taken by the Government to make data about cities available to the public;
- (b) the  manner  in  which  Government  would  ensure  that  the  data made  available  is  up-to-date,  accurate  and  accessible  to  all citizens;
- (c) whether there are any plans or ongoing projects for the development  of  digital  public  infrastructure  to  facilitate  easier access to city-related data for citizens, researchers and policymakers and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details of the privacy and security protocols are in place to protect  sensitive  information  within  the  publicly  available  city data;
- (e) the  manner  in  which  the  Government  proposes  to  collaborate with local governing bodies, technology experts and other stakeholders to enhance the quality, reach and usability of the data provided; and
- (f) whether  the  Government  would  provide  an  overview  of  the anticipated impact of these initiatives on urban planning, policymaking and citizen engagement in urban governance and if so, the details thereof?

…2/-

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE)

(a) to  (f)  :  The  National  Data  Sharing  and  Accessibility  Policy (NDSAP) was published in 2012.   The National Policy has helped foster accessibility  and  easier  sharing  of  non-personal  data  for  scientific, economic and social developmental purposes.

Introduction  of  the  Data  Smart  Cities  strategy  in  2019  by  the  Smart Cities Mission (SCM) was a key milestone in the journey towards datadriven governance in India's cities. The strategy has helped catalyze extensive work on data-driven policies and implementation across the 100 smart cities. Launch of the Urban Outcomes Framework in 2022 enabled the sharing of data across 14 sectors, on 400+ parameters for 200+  cities  on  a  portal  called  AMPLIFI-  an  acronym  for  Assessment and  Monitoring  Platform  for  Liveable,  Inclusive,  and  Future-ready Urban India. Due to the amount and diversity of data available on it, AMPLIFI has become an important destination for urban data needs.

Besides  AMPLIFI,  the  Mission  has  created  the  India  Urban  Data Exchange (IUDX) as an access controlled, safe mechanism for sharing of  sensitive  data  amongst  specific  entities.  This  has  helped  create innovative  solutions  in  areas  of  mobility,  health  etc.  in  many  Smart Cities  of  the  country.  All  Mission  Cities  actively  share  non-personal data on the Government of India's open data portal.

Many Smart Cities have formulated City Data Polices to lay down the principles on how data should be managed and shared in Cities and to define mechanisms around data governance, protection, collaboration and  innovation.  Cities  are  able  to  navigate  the  contours  of  data sharing,  standardization,  privacy,  security  and  ownership  using  their

City Data Policies.

The  Mission  has  created  a  cyber  security  framework  which  guides cities on cyber-security related issues. Besides, cities are expected to adhere to data privacy and safety protocols as laid down from time to time by the Government. Multiple rounds of training has been carried out for this purpose.

Large volumes and different types of data are generated and compiled by the Government for meeting specific requirements.  Access to data leads  to  break-throughs  in  scientific  understanding  as  well  as  to economic  and  public  good,  in  addition  to  several  benefits  to  civil society.   Given the deployment of substantial level of investment of public  funds  in  collection  of  data  and  the  untapped  potentials  of benefits  to  society,  it  is  important  to  make  available  non-sensitive data for legitimate use.

Broader  access  and  sharing  of  data  supports  the  Government's emphasis on engaging citizens in Governance and empowering them with  information.  It  enables  collaboration  and  co-creation  amongst innovators, research and development in academia and the industry. It helps provide valuable insights into the functioning and development of  cities  to  Governments,  urban  planners,  policy  makers  and  other stakeholders.

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