10 Years of Smart Cities Mission: Successes & Challenges

• Recently, the Smart Cities Mission completed 10 years since its launch on June 25, 2015, aiming to develop 100 tech-enabled, citizen-centric, & sustainable urban centres. Anchored in ‘Saaf Niyat, Sahi Vikas’, the mission emphasises efficient services, digital governance, & growth via scalable urban models.

About Smart Cities Mission

• Smart Cities Mission was launched in 2015 to enhance urban infrastructure & livability in selected cities.
• Objectives: Develop cities with smart solutions while promoting economic & institutional growth, creating replicable urban models and ensuring accountability through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs).
• Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) oversees its implementation.

Smart Solutions in Key Areas of Development

• Smart governance: Using digital platforms to improve transparency and accountability.
• Smart mobility: Improving public transport and promoting non-motorized modes of transport.
• Smart energy: Enhancing energy efficiency, renewable energy generation, and smart metering.
• Smart water: Improving water supply, sanitation, and waste management.
• Smart environment: Reducing pollution, increasing green cover, and enhancing climate resilience.
• Smart health: Providing accessible and affordable healthcare services and facilities.
• Smart education: Improving access and quality of education and skill development.
• Smart safety: Enhancing safety and security through surveillance and emergency response systems.

Source: Twimg

Mission Strategy

• Cities were chosen through competitive process between 2016 & 2018, with 5 yrs to complete projects.
• Pan-City Initiative: Application of at least one smart solution city-wide.
• Three Models of Area-Based Development: Retrofitting (City improvement); Redevelopment (City renewal); and Greenfield development (City expansion)
• Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs) have been implemented in all cities for real-time monitoring of urban services under the mission.

Foundation Courses

Implementation

• 100 Smart Cities selected through competitive federalism.
• Implementation through SPVs at the city level (50:50 equity between state/UT and ULBs).
• Initial duration: 2015-2020 (extended till 31st March 2025).

Funding & Financial Mechanism

• Centrally Sponsored Scheme: ₹48,000 crore over five years (₹100 crore per city annually).
• States/Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) must match central funding.
• Additional Financing Through: Municipal Bonds, Finance Commission Grants, Government Programs & Borrowings, PPPs.

Current Progress (As of July 2024)

• Total Projects: 7,970 projects worth ₹1,70,400 crore, of which 7,188 (90% of total) have been completed.
• 17 cities with 100% completion and 56 cities with 80%+ completion.
• Lagging Cities: 14 cities (primarily from Northeast, UTs, and hilly areas).
• Digital Transformation: 100 ICCCs operational for traffic, waste, health & disaster management.

Smart Cities Success Stories

• Ahmedabad: Sensor-based water monitoring saved 50 MLD water/day.
• Indore: Prevented 205 MLD sewage from entering rivers.
• Visakhapatnam: Floating solar plant saved $0.28 million & 3,000+ tons of CO2.
• Bhubaneswar: Launched a multi-modal railway hub & hi-tech traffic system.
• New Delhi: Implemented mini-sewerage plants, smart street lights & city surveillance.

Key Achievements in 10 Years

Key Challenges of the Smart Cities Mission

• Limited Coverage: Over 80% of Smart Cities funding is concentrated in Area-Based Development covering only 3–5% of city areas, excluding large populations.
• Project Delays: Despite 94% project completion by May 2025, many cities experienced 2–3 year delays and cost overruns up to 40%.
• Weak ULB Capacity: Only 25% of Urban Local Bodies have trained planning staff, hindering efficient implementation and innovation.
• Digital Divide: Internet access in smaller cities is just ~45%, limiting reach of smart services despite urban digital push (TRAI 2024).
• Lack of Sustainability Focus: Less than 35% of Smart Cities have integrated green infrastructure or climate resilience measures (MoHUA).

Way Forward for the Smart Cities Mission

• Expand Beyond Area-Based Development: Scale interventions city-wide to ensure inclusive benefits for all urban residents, especially in underserved and peri-urban areas.
• Strengthen Urban Local Bodies (ULBs): Invest in capacity building by training municipal staff, deploying urban planners, and enhancing administrative autonomy.
• Bridge the Digital Divide: Improve digital infrastructure and connectivity in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities to make smart services more accessible and equitable.
• Integrate Climate Resilience and Green Planning: Mandate climate action plans and promote green buildings, clean mobility, and nature-based solutions in city planning.
• Enhance Public Participation and Transparency: Use ICT tools and platforms to engage citizens in planning, monitoring, and feedback for better accountability and ownership.

The Smart Cities Mission is vital for building inclusive, future-ready cities. As PM Modi noted, “Hundreds of small cities have a key role in achieving the resolve of a developed India by 2047.” The mission must focus on scalability, sustainability, and citizen-centric governance to achieve long-term impact.

Reference: PIB | PMFIAS: Smart Cities Mission

PMF IAS Pathfinder for Mains – Question 232

Foundation Courses

Q. Examine whether the Smart Cities Mission, despite improving urban infrastructure and digital governance, has adequately addressed issues of affordability and accessibility for the urban poor. ( 250 Words) (15 Marks)

Approach

• Introduction: Write briefly about Smart Cities Mission by mentioning focus areas.
• Body: Write improving urban infrastructure and digital governance, issues of affordability and accessibility for the urban poor and way forward.
• Conclusion: Emphasis on inclusive smart cities mission with pro-poor, city-wide, and participatory urban development.