Smart Cities Mission: Features, Financing, Cities, Infrastructure

Since the widespread use of digital technology, cities have been continually adapting to fulfil the evolving requirements of daily life. The term smart city was coined in the early 2015s to reflect the growing use of data and technology to inform urban governance decisions. Moreover, states and municipal governments will play an important role in developing smart cities. In addition, with insight at this level and the ability to act effectively, smart cities’ mission management will be vital to achieving the mission. Let’s walk through the details of smart cities’ mission, objective, current status, etc.

Smart Cities Mission Overview

The Smart Cities Mission is an innovative initiative announced by the Indian government in 2015 to transform the country’s urban infrastructure. The primary goal of India’s smart city mission is to provide its residents with a good standard of living, an atmosphere of safety and security, and innovative solutions for all. In addition, the government’s primary goal is to convert all Indian cities into smart cities by using technology and promoting grassroots growth. Moreover, To fit the expanding city population, the authorities intend to refurbish current districts, create jobs, and develop new areas. A smart approach for cities would involve using information, technology, and data to enhance services and facilities.

Smart City Mission Objective in India

The smart city initiative aims to foster equitable and sustainable cities. By implementing innovative technologies, such as data-driven traffic enforcement and intelligent lighting schemes. Moreover, it offers essential services for an adequate level of life and a healthy and renewable environment, including:

• Sufficient water supply
• Ensured electrical supply
• Sanitation includes solid waste management
• Effective urban mobility and public transit
• Affordable housing, particularly for the poor
• Strong IT connectivity and modernisation
• Effective government, particularly e-governance and citizen participation
• Sustainable atmosphere
• Citizens’ security and protection, especially women, children, and the elderly
• Education and healthcare

Strategy Behind For Smart Cities Mission 

The Smart Cities Mission‘s key elements of area-based growth include city renovation, renewal, expansion, and a Pan-city project that applies Smart Solutions to greater city areas. Three distinct types of Area-based Smart City Growth are essential for the growth of any city.  Firstly, area-based improvements would use remodelling and renovation to transform existing areas. Moreover, converting particularly slums into better-planned housing areas will ultimately boost the city’s accessibility. Secondly, greenfield developments will establish new city regions to accommodate the expanding population. Lastly, pan-city growth requires integrating advanced technologies into the city’s current structures.

Challenges of Smart City Mission 

Some of the notable challenges of the smart cities mission in India include: 

• Governance Problems: MoUD is the first initiative to employ a challenging method to select cities for funding and an area-based growth strategy. This phrase captures the core of ‘cooperative and entrepreneurial government’.
• Mismanagement Meeting: State-level consultative forum conferences are not regularly convened, which are critical for utilising local expertise and guaranteeing stakeholder participation. Some cities, including Amravati and Imphal, have not had any meetings, affecting project monitoring and development.​ 
• Funding and Master Planning: Many cities lack detailed master plans for urban growth. Furthermore, the mission has failed to secure funding via public-private partnerships, critical for maintaining long-term development initiatives.

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Current Status of Smart City Mission in India

As of 2023, 7,970 projects costing ₹1,70,400 crore have been launched, while 6,419 projects worth ₹1,25,105 crore were finished. In addition, developed approximately 600 kilometres of cycle routes, installed over 76,000 CCTV cameras, and implemented smart infrastructure initiatives.

Smart Cities Funding

The Smart City Mission will be implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS). The central government intends to fund it with Rs. 48,000 crores in five years, or Rs 100 crore per city annually on a median. Moreover, The State/ULB is expected to contribute the same amount equally. Thus, almost Rs. 1 lakh crore in Government/ULB funds will be available for Smart City development.

Smart City Mission Under SCM

The Government of India launched the Smart Cities Mission (SCM) in 2015 as a flagship urban revitalisation and retrofitting programme to develop 100 cities nationwide to make them more citizen-friendly and sustainable. The mission’s major goal is to support environmentally friendly and welcoming cities which offer fundamental infrastructure, a healthy and sustainable environment, and a good standard of living for their residents.

Wrapping Up

The Smart Cities Mission has contributed to promoting urban development in India, boosting innovation and improving the quality of life for thousands of people. Its impact will continue to shape urban growth laws and practices, leading the path for more intelligent, greener cities in decades ahead.

FAQ’s about Smart Cities Mission