Dutch Prime Minister Applauds Bengaluru's Air Quality and Technological Prowess
During a recent visit to Bengaluru, Netherlands Prime Minister Dick Schoof expressed admiration for the city's air quality and its vibrant atmosphere. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of an AI summit, Schoof highlighted how Bengaluru's environment stands out compared to other Indian cities like Delhi.
Clean Air and Vibrant Atmosphere Impress Dutch Leader
"The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of Bengaluru is the air quality index (AQI) — and it is so beautiful here," Schoof said. He added that his early morning run in the city left him particularly impressed, noting, "I love Bengaluru because of the AQI. It is amazing here." Schoof also remarked that the city's atmosphere reminded him of his home in the Netherlands, describing Bengaluru as "a really vibrant city and the atmosphere is really good."
AI Innovations in Healthcare Draw Attention
As part of his visit, Schoof toured the Philips Innovation Campus in Yelahanka, where he witnessed cutting-edge advancements in healthcare technology powered by artificial intelligence. One innovation that particularly stood out was an AI-enabled stethoscope that can display heart rhythms simply by placing it on a patient's palm.
"This is amazing, and we would like to implement such technologies in the Netherlands," Schoof noted, emphasising how AI integration in healthcare is something his country hopes to learn from Bengaluru. This visit underscores the potential for international collaboration in leveraging AI for medical advancements.
Traffic Management System Earns High Praise
Schoof also visited Bengaluru's Traffic Management Centre (TMC) to review the Actionable Intelligence for Sustainable Transformation Management (ASTraM) system. Developed in collaboration with Dutch company Arcadis, ASTraM is a tech-driven approach that analyses and manages the city's traffic congestion using real-time data.
Impressed by the integration of Google Maps, TomTom data, and CCTV feeds, Schoof praised the quick-response mechanism. "They can quickly send traffic police to the right spot and organise signals remotely," he said. The ASTraM system classifies congestion into recurring and non-recurring categories, issuing alerts every 15 minutes to field officers and enabling predictive analysis that factors in weather conditions.
Officials claim the system has significantly reduced congestion levels over the past two years. Schoof described the proactive use of data and rapid accident response as particularly noteworthy, calling Bengaluru's tech-driven governance model "impressive and forward-looking."
Adaptive Traffic Control Systems Highlighted
Joint commissioner of police (traffic) Karthik Reddy told TOI that the Prime Minister also appreciated the adaptive traffic control systems (ATCS) and the city's approach to handling and predicting future traffic congestion. This recognition highlights Bengaluru's efforts in using technology to address urban challenges effectively.
Overall, Schoof's visit not only showcased Bengaluru's strengths in environmental quality and technological innovation but also opened doors for potential partnerships between India and the Netherlands in areas like AI and smart city solutions.
