Status of the Smart Cities Mission

Syllabus :GS2/Governance 

In Context

• India’s Smart Cities Mission has the potential to transform urban centers into hubs of innovation, economic power, and sustainability. 

Key Features

• Objective: Enhance urban living by providing core infrastructure, a clean environment, and a decent quality of life.
  • Drive economic growth and improve the quality of life through social, economic, physical, and institutional development.
• Operational Framework:
  • Selection Process: 100 cities were selected through a two-stage competition.
  • Implementation: Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) handle project execution.
• Centrally Sponsored Scheme: ₹48,000 crore allocated by the central government over five years (₹100 crore per city annually).
  • States or Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) must match funding.
  • Additional resources raised via municipal bonds, government programs, and public-private partnerships (PPP).
• Timeline: Mission extended to March 31, 2025, for completion.

Achievements

• Over 8,000 projects launched, with an investment of ₹1.6 lakh crore.
• As of July 2024:
  • 90% of projects completed (7,188 projects).
  • 75% of projects completed in 75 cities.
  • 17 cities achieved 100% project completion.

Need for Smart Cities

• Urban Growth: 31% of India’s population lives in urban areas, contributing 63% of GDP (Census 2011).
  • By 2030, urban areas are expected to house 40% of the population and contribute 75% of GDP.
• Comprehensive Development: Sustainable growth requires infrastructure development in physical, institutional, social, and economic sectors.

Challenges

• Implementation Hurdles: 10% of projects are delayed due to legal issues, clearances, and resource challenges.
• Technological Barriers: Reliance on advanced technologies like IoT faces challenges in areas lacking basic infrastructure.
• Funding and Engagement: Difficulty in securing funds, involving the private sector, and ensuring citizen participation.
• Integration Issues: Achieving seamless integration of systems remains a complex task.

Conclusion and Way Forward

• The Smart Cities Mission holds transformative potential to propel India toward becoming a $10 trillion economy. Its success depends on overcoming challenges through:
  • Innovative funding mechanisms.
  • Enhanced private sector collaboration.
  • Citizen-centric policies.
  • Efficient use of technology and infrastructure.
• Ultimately, the success of smart cities will be measured not only by the number of completed projects but by the lives transformed and the opportunities created. Bold action and visionary thinking will be critical for shaping India’s urban future.

Source: TH