Green cover, proper drainage system and civic infrastructure, essential water supply and power generation – these are the four main things required basically towards making any city a smart one, according to Ponraj Vellaichamy, technical advisor to former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

A scientist by profession, Ponraj was here recently on an invitation from an NGO to share his views on making the city smart. “The drainage system should improve. Rain water harvesting must be developed in a big way,” he said.

“Whenever Coimbatore receives above the normal rainfall, the city experiences water clogging. Drainage lines gets choked. This has to come to an end. And for this, people should learn first how to segregate waste. Plastic has to be banned as it is the main reason for drainage blocks,” he added.

Ponraj called upon the people to educate children on the civic issues and how to bring about a change. “Only awareness can bring about a change and for that children should be caught when they are young. Everybody should become more conscious in this,” he added.