Archive · 19 Dec 2025
Vadodara's Smart Poles Enhance Urban Safety
Vadodara, a city in India, has installed smart poles that do much more than provide free Wi-Fi.
These poles have cameras, speakers, and sensors that help the city monitor and respond to emergencies.
They also have emergency call buttons that connect directly to help.
The city partners with a private company to maintain these poles, which also makes money through ads and leasing space on the poles.
The poles are designed to be easily upgraded with new technology as needed.
This system has been very helpful during floods and the pandemic, making Vadodara safer and more connected.
Vadodara's smart poles offer free Wi-Fi and enhance public safety with CCTV cameras, public address systems, and environmental sensors.
The poles are integrated with the city's ICCC, enabling real-time monitoring and emergency alerts.
Emergency call boxes on the poles provide direct access to emergency responders, benefiting vulnerable populations and ensuring rapid response.
The public-private partnership model makes the project financially sustainable, with revenue from advertising and leasing telecom equipment.
The modular design of the poles allows for future upgrades, ensuring adaptability to evolving smart city demands.
- Who
- Vadodara city officials and residents
- What
- Implementation of smart poles with multiple functionalities
- When
- Ongoing, with significant use during 2019 floods and COVID-19 pandemic
- Where
- Vadodara, India
- Why
- To enhance urban safety, provide free internet access, and generate revenue through public-private partnership
- Location
- Vadodara, India
- Features
- CCTV cameras, public address systems, environmental sensors, emergency call boxes, digital displays, free Wi-Fi
- Integration
- Integrated with Vadodara’s ICCC (Integrated Command and Control Centre)
- Emergency Response
- SOS call boxes for direct link to emergency responders
- Revenue Model
- Public-private partnership with revenue from digital billboard advertising, leasing telecom equipment, GIS-enabled property tax expansion
- First Year Revenue
- Rs 90 lakh
- Expected Total Revenue
- Rs 22.41 crore over 15 years
- Future-Proofing
- Modular design with plug-and-play slots for 5G-LiFi modules, additional surveillance nodes, disaster management sensors