In a significant stride towards reshaping infrastructure planning and design, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has revealed the selected participants for Stage 1 of the groundbreaking ‘Sangam: Digital Twin with AI-Driven Insights Initiative’.
Launched on February 15, 2024, the Sangam initiative seeks to revolutionise infrastructure development by harnessing digital twin technology, creating precise, dynamic models of physical environments. This innovative approach enables real-time insights and predictive analytics, significantly enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of infrastructure projects.
The Sangam initiative has garnered an overwhelming response, with 112 organisations and 32 individuals, including industry giants, innovative startups, and leading academic institutions, expressing interest through the Expression of Interest (EoI) process. The detailed list of selected participants is available on the initiative’s official website. These participants bring a wealth of technological expertise spanning unified data platforms, advanced AI modelling, immersive AR/VR applications, and sophisticated scenario planning.
To accommodate the high level of interest and facilitate wider participation, the DoT has extended the deadline for EoI submissions to June 25, 2024. While Stage-I activities are already underway, potential participants are encouraged to submit their proposals promptly to actively engage in ongoing and forthcoming initiatives.
The responses to the EoI have unveiled a dynamic range of use cases that mirror the diverse challenges and opportunities within infrastructure planning and design. Sangam’s “living list” of use cases underscores the initiative’s commitment to refining scenarios through stakeholder engagement, ensuring they effectively address real-world needs. Participants are invited to enrich this evolving list by contributing relevant data and insights on the initiative’s website.
The DoT will announce networking events under the Sangam initiative, fostering knowledge sharing, partnership formation, and exploration of use cases. These events will prioritise feasibility, scalability, and integration of cutting-edge technologies to advance the initiative’s objectives, further propelling the nation towards AI-driven infrastructure transformation.
OpenGov Asia reported that the initiative aims to transform infrastructure planning and design in India. Sangam represents a paradigm shift in infrastructure development, harnessing the power of virtual replicas to optimise planning processes and drive transformative outcomes.
At its core, Sangam represents a convergence of technology, collaboration, and innovation, aimed at reshaping the infrastructure landscape in India. The initiative is structured in two distinct stages, each designed to unlock creative potential and pave the way for practical implementation.
The exploratory phase set the stage for visionary thinking and ideation, while the subsequent demonstration phase focused on tangible use cases, laying the groundwork for scalable solutions.
Sangam draws upon a rich tapestry of technological advancements, spanning 5G, IoT, AI, AR/VR, AI-native 6G, Digital Twin, and next-gen computational technologies. This comprehensive suite of tools empowers stakeholders to navigate complexities and uncertainties with precision, leveraging real-time data and simulations to inform decision-making and drive innovation. By integrating cutting-edge technologies, Sangam aims to establish a solid foundation for future-ready infrastructure planning and design.
The DoT, through its Telecom Center of Excellence (TCOE), embarked on its pioneering outreach programme for Sangam at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi in March this year. This initiative marked a significant step towards revolutionising infrastructure planning and management, aiming to bridge the gap between innovation and planning processes.
Dr Neeraj Mittal, Secretary of Telecom underscored the pivotal role of digital twins in modernising infrastructure and fostering innovation and collaboration. He stressed the importance of leveraging digital twins and integrated data systems to facilitate informed decision-making processes in infrastructure development.
