Smart Cities Project

The Smart Cities Mission (SCM), commonly known as the Smart Cities Project, is an ambitious urban renewal and retrofitting programme launched by the Government of India to make cities more sustainable, citizen-friendly, and technologically advanced. Announced on 25 June 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the mission aims to promote cities that provide core infrastructure, a clean and sustainable environment, and improved quality of life through the application of smart solutions and participatory governance.
The initiative is a cornerstone of India’s urban development policy in the twenty-first century, integrating digital technology, urban planning, and citizen participation to create “smart urban ecosystems.”

Objectives of the Smart Cities Mission

The mission’s main objective is to drive economic growth and improve urban living standards by enabling local development and leveraging technology. It envisions a citizen-centric approach to city planning and governance through the following core goals:

• Provision of essential infrastructure: Including water supply, electricity, sanitation, affordable housing, waste management, and urban mobility.
• Sustainable and inclusive development: Ensuring equitable access to services and minimising environmental impact.
• Use of smart technologies: For efficient management of resources and improved service delivery.
• Citizen participation: Promoting transparency and inclusivity in decision-making.
• Replication model: Creating model cities that can inspire other urban areas across the country.

The mission ultimately seeks to make Indian cities livable, resilient, and economically vibrant, fostering innovation and sustainability.

Coverage and Implementation Framework

The Smart Cities Mission initially aimed to develop 100 smart cities across India through a competitive selection process known as the City Challenge. Cities were chosen based on their proposals for smart solutions, financial planning, citizen participation, and implementation capacity.
The mission is implemented under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), following a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
Each selected city establishes a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) — a limited company under the Companies Act, 2013 — to plan, implement, manage, and monitor the Smart City projects. The SPV includes representatives from the state government, urban local body (ULB), and private sector.
Funding Pattern:

• The Central Government provides financial support of ₹500 crore per city, spread over five years.
• State governments and urban local bodies contribute a matching amount.
• Additional funds are mobilised through PPPs, loans, convergence with other schemes, and municipal bonds.

Strategic Components of Development

The Smart Cities Mission adopts three strategic approaches to urban transformation:

1. Retrofitting:
   • Enhancing existing urban infrastructure and amenities within an identified area.
   • Focuses on improving energy efficiency, public spaces, and connectivity without large-scale demolition.
2. Redevelopment:
   • Reconstructing old and deteriorating areas to create new layouts with high-quality infrastructure.
   • Example: Redevelopment of congested urban cores into modern mixed-use districts.
3. Greenfield Development:
   • Developing new smart areas on the periphery of cities to accommodate urban expansion.
   • Example: Construction of satellite townships or new business districts with smart infrastructure.

In addition, Pan-City Initiatives introduce smart solutions that benefit the entire city, such as intelligent traffic management systems, integrated command and control centres (ICCC), and e-governance platforms.

Key Features and Smart Solutions

1. Smart Governance:
   • E-governance, online grievance redressal, digital service delivery, and citizen engagement platforms.
   • Example: Mobile apps for utilities, tax payments, and feedback mechanisms.
2. Smart Mobility:
   • Integrated public transport systems, smart traffic signals, electric vehicles, and non-motorised transport infrastructure (bicycles and walkways).
3. Smart Energy:
   • Use of renewable energy sources (especially solar), energy-efficient street lighting (LEDs), and smart grids.
4. Smart Environment:
   • Scientific waste management, wastewater recycling, green spaces, and pollution monitoring systems.
5. Smart Water and Sanitation:
   • 24×7 water supply with smart meters, rainwater harvesting, and sewage treatment plants.
6. Smart Economy:
   • Support for start-ups, innovation hubs, and skill development to attract investment and create jobs.
7. Smart Living:
   • Focus on health, education, housing, and safety through technology-enabled solutions like CCTV networks and emergency response systems.
8. Smart Citizen Participation:
   • Inclusive planning through consultations, digital surveys, and participatory budgeting.

Examples of Smart City Projects

1. Bhopal Smart City:
   • Development of integrated command and control centres, smart roads, and energy-efficient public transport.
2. Pune Smart City:
   • Implementation of intelligent traffic management systems and e-governance platforms for service delivery.
3. Surat Smart City:
   • Advanced flood warning system and public health surveillance through data analytics.
4. Ahmedabad Smart City:
   • Smart waste collection systems and BRTS-based integrated urban mobility.
5. Visakhapatnam Smart City:
   • Focus on coastal resilience, disaster management, and digital service platforms.
6. Indore and Mysuru:
   • Known for sustainable waste management practices under the Smart Cities framework.

Achievements and Progress

As of recent updates, the Smart Cities Mission has made substantial progress in transforming urban infrastructure and governance:

• Over 7,000 projects identified across the selected cities, with many nearing completion.
• Establishment of Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs) in over 90 cities, serving as digital hubs for urban management.
• 100% LED street lighting achieved in multiple cities.
• Substantial progress in solid waste management, water supply, and renewable energy integration.
• Enhanced transparency through online dashboards, enabling real-time tracking of project implementation.

The mission has also catalysed the adoption of new technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Geospatial Mapping in city management.

Challenges

Despite its success, the Smart Cities Project faces several challenges:

• Implementation delays: Due to land acquisition issues, administrative bottlenecks, and complex tendering processes.
• Financial sustainability: Dependence on central funding and limited private sector participation in some cities.
• Capacity constraints: Limited technical expertise within local bodies for managing advanced technologies.
• Social inclusion: Risk of urban inequality if benefits do not reach low-income populations.
• Maintenance and scalability: Sustaining smart infrastructure beyond the project phase remains a key concern.

Effective coordination between central, state, and local authorities, along with citizen engagement, is essential to address these challenges.

Integration with Other Government Programmes

The Smart Cities Mission complements several other national initiatives:

• AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) – improving basic urban infrastructure.
• Digital India – promoting e-governance and digital connectivity.
• Make in India – encouraging investment in urban infrastructure.
• Housing for All (PM Awas Yojana) – providing affordable housing within smart city projects.
• Swachh Bharat Abhiyan – ensuring cleanliness and waste management in urban spaces.

This integrated approach strengthens the mission’s impact across multiple dimensions of urban development.

Significance

The Smart Cities Mission represents a paradigm shift in urban planning, aligning India’s cities with global models of sustainable, technology-driven growth. Its significance lies in:

• Promoting data-driven governance and improved service delivery.
• Enhancing urban resilience to environmental and infrastructural challenges.
• Encouraging citizen participation and local governance.
• Creating models of sustainable urban living that can be replicated nationwide.
• Positioning India as a leader in digital and sustainable urban transformation.