The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority has launched a pilot water taxi service linking Salt Lake Tech Park to the central business district via a river route. Electric hybrid boats ferry passengers across the Hooghly River in under 20 minutes—cutting commute time by over half. The boats are solar-augmented and equipped with passenger amenities including Wi‑Fi and live travel data displays. The service operates during peak hours with 15-minute frequency. Passenger feedback shows high satisfaction due to comfort, cost, and eco-friendliness. Additional docking stations are planned near residential hubs to extend service coverage. This riverine transport model aligns with Kolkata’s Clean Waterways initiative and urban mobility diversification.
Karnataka Opens AI-Enabled Wildlife Corridor Underpasses
Karnataka Forest Department, working with wildlife NGOs, has retrofitted road underpasses along state highways in Bandipur and Nagarhole Wildlife Reserves with AI-activated vehicle-warning systems. When wildlife sensors detect elephant or tiger movement, warning lights and signboards on road surfaces activate to alert approaching vehicles. Animal movement data is collected to analyze crossing patterns and timing. Early results show a significant drop in roadkill incidents. The systems combine thermal cameras and pressure mats with solar lighting. The state plans to extend the corridors and integrate systems with highway traffic management centers, supporting India’s initiative to connect fragmented wildlife habitats.
Goa Pilots Underwater Marine Noise Monitoring Initiative
Ahead of eco-tourism boat expansion, Goa’s Fisheries Department is piloting underwater sensors to monitor marine noise pollution from motorboats and speedboats. The sensor network, deployed near reefs off Grande Island, captures acoustic signatures and transmits data to research teams, enabling assessment of disturbance thresholds for wildlife. Early readings have identified peak noise levels during tourist hours. Speed restrictions are now being enforced in noise-sensitive zones. The initiative aids in balancing tourism with marine biodiversity protection. Citizens can access a live noise map via a dedicated app. Goa plans to roll out submarine sensors in all coral-diverse zones.
Telangana Rolls Out Community Health Monitoring Kiosks
Telangana’s Health Department has introduced solar-powered health monitoring kiosks in village clusters around Mahbubnagar. Each kiosk includes automated BP, temperature, weight, and oxygen level systems, managed by local health workers. Test results are encrypted and synced to a central database linked with telemedicine providers. Over 8,000 villagers have used the kiosks in the past two months, and flagged readings prompt home visits from nurses. The kiosks support early detection of conditions like diabetes and hypertension. A dashboard allows doctors to track public health trends and deploy mobile clinics accordingly. The model aims to close rural health access gaps through affordable, technology-enabled screening.
Delhi Launches Smart Bench initiative with Public Wi‑Fi
To modernize public spaces, the Delhi Urban Amenities Authority has deployed Smart Benches in parks and street promenades across Connaught Place and Nehru Place. Each bench is solar-powered and provides USB charging ports, ambient lighting, and free public Wi-Fi. Touchscreen kiosks offer neighborhood maps, local event listings, and real-time transit data. Sensors embedded in the benches collect seating usage and microclimate data to inform urban planners. Residents have welcomed the amenity as combining comfort with connectivity. Nighttime safety has improved due to lighting, while foot traffic in parks has increased. Authorities plan to install 500 benches citywide, pairing urban amenity upgrades with smart city analytics.
Maharashtra Pilots Battery Swapping Stations for Trucks
Maharashtra State Transport has set up India’s first battery-swapping infrastructure for light- and medium-duty electric trucks on the Pune–Mumbai corridor. Trucks can swap discharged batteries at solar-powered swap stations within minutes, eliminating charging downtime. The batteries are standardized for multiple truck models, and spent modules undergo fast recharge off-site. Initial trials conducted with delivery fleets show reduced road time and lower operational costs compared to diesel equivalents. Fleet managers note improved logistics efficiency, especially during peak-hour travel. The pilot supports emissions reduction targets and provides a blueprint for EV freight electrification, with plans to add swap hubs and standardized batteries across 10 freight routes.
Andhra Pradesh Deploys Drone-Based Coconut Yield Mapping
Andhra Pradesh’s Agriculture Department has launched a drone-based coconut yield mapping system to support farmers in palm-growing districts like West Godavari. The drones conduct aerial surveys, capturing canopy density and flowering patterns. AI then estimates yield and flags trees needing irrigation or nutrient support. Farmers receive weekly updates through SMS alerts, enabling proactive interventions. The mapping has revealed unexpected moisture-influenced growth patterns and improved fertiliser scheduling. Initial trials indicated a 12 % improvement in yield estimates. The digital platform also supports trade by collating district-level yield data for exporters. The government plans to scale the technology to other tree crops like areca and oil palm under its Precision Coconut Initiative.
Tamil Nadu Introduces Smart Community Solar Kitchens
In an effort to reduce cooking emissions and enable shared services, Tamil Nadu’s Rural Development Agency has inaugurated Smart Community Solar Kitchens in peri‑urban villages of Tirunelveli and Salem. Each kitchen is powered by a 50 kW solar plant, driving electric stoves, water boilers, and refrigeration. Women’s self-help groups operate the kitchens, preparing meals for school midday programs, community feasts, and packaged lunch services. A central app tracks energy use, cooking schedules, and carbon savings. Early results show 80 % fewer wood or LPG inputs, reduced smoke inhalation, and increased group incomes from meal sales. Expansion to 15 villages is planned by next year. The initiative serves as an example of clean-energy employment and collective urban-rural services.
Kerala Pilots Energy-Efficient Floating School Classrooms
Kerala’s Education Department has completed its pilot for energy-efficient floating school classrooms on Kerala backwaters. Each floating unit is a pontoon structure with solar-powered LED lighting, insulation panels, and rainwater harvesting tanks. The enclosed classroom hosts up to 30 students and an instructor, providing stable learning environments during seasonal floods. The design incorporates skylights for daylight and uses aero-thermal panels to maintain interior comfort. The pilot in Alappuzha and Kottayam returned water-level adaptive attendance during the monsoons, preventing learning loss. Add-ons include a digital visual-aid system using TVs connected to banked solar power. The mobile classrooms are now being assessed for statewide deployment under Kerala’s flood resilience and educational continuity strategy.
Gujarat Launches Coastal Fab Lab for Marine Innovation
The Gujarat Maritime Board, in partnership with a university network, has inaugurated a coastal Fabrication Laboratory (Fab Lab) in Mundra, designed to support marine innovation for fishers and coastal communities. The Fab Lab is equipped with sea-resistant 3D printers, CNC routers, and marine-grade composites to prototype fishing gear, sea sensors, and lightweight boats. Local youth and fishers are being trained in rapid prototyping and digital design using open-source software. Early prototypes include low-cost sonar sensors to detect fish shoals and modular nets tailored for sustainable harvesting. The initiative fosters local entrepreneurship and secures supply chains for artisanal fishers. As part of its vision, the Fab Lab will host hackathons and boat-design competitions, aiming to launch locally designed marine products in the Blue Economy marketplace. Coastal districts like Kutch and Jamnagar are next in the rollout plan, positioning Gujarat at the forefront of grassroots maritime innovation.