Shri Hardeep S. Puri, the Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs and Petroleum and Natural Gas, provided an update on the progress of the Smart Cities Mission to the members of the consultative committee of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. He emphasized that the implementation of the mission at the city level is carried out by Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) that play a crucial role in monitoring projects and utilizing the full potential of this groundbreaking initiative. The Minister highlighted that India’s urban future will draw heavily from the innovations nurtured in these 100 smart cities.
The Smart Cities Mission, launched on June 25, 2015, aims to provide core infrastructure, a clean and sustainable environment, and a decent quality of life to citizens through the application of smart solutions. The selection of 100 cities through a two-stage competition to be developed as smart cities has shown satisfactory progress.
The mission is monitored by an Apex Committee headed by the Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, which regularly reports the implementation status of projects through the Real-Time Geographical Management Information System (GMIS). At the city level, a Smart City Advisory Forum (SCAF) is established to facilitate collaboration among various stakeholders. It includes Members of Parliament, Members of Legislative Assembly, the Mayor, the District Collector, local youth, technical experts, and other stakeholders. All 100 smart cities have established their SCAFs, and numerous meetings have been held.
At the state level, a High Powered Steering Committee (HPSC) chaired by the Chief Secretary has been established. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs also has nominated directors on the boards of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) who regularly monitor the progress in their respective cities. The Ministry engages with states and smart cities through video conferences, review meetings, field visits, regional workshops, etc., to assess their performance and provide guidance for improvement.
During the committee meeting, various project sites in Goa, including the Mandovi Riverfront Promenade, Flood Mitigation Works, and the Integrated Command and Control Centre, were visited, and the current status and progress were discussed. It was highlighted that the mission encompasses around 7,800 projects worth Rs.1.8 lakh crore, of which over 5,700 projects (73% by number) worth Rs.1.1 lakh crore (60% by value) have been completed. The remaining projects are expected to be completed by June 30, 2024. Additionally, it was noted that Rs. 38,400 crore has been released under the Smart Cities Mission as of May 1, 2023, of which Rs. 35,261 crore has been utilized.
The committee meeting was chaired by Shri Hardeep S. Puri, with the Minister of State, Shri Kaushal Kishore, and Members of Parliament from various states in attendance. Presentations were made by city commissioners and CEOs of smart cities, highlighting best practices adopted in their respective cities.
Shri Kaushal Kishore commended the mission for successfully deploying Integrated Command and Control Centers (ICCCs) in all 100 smart cities. He emphasized that ICCCs enhance situational awareness through cutting-edge technologies and provide consolidated visualization for urban officials to handle day-to-day work and emergencies effectively. He further stated that ICCCs have become the nerve centers of smart cities and demonstrate the effective use of technology in strengthening urban management.
The meeting included discussions on the need to expand the Smart Cities Mission, appreciation for the functioning of ICCCs during the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of expertise in crucial areas such as mobility and waste management, and the effective implementation of smart city initiatives. The enactment of the Smart Cities Mission marked the beginning of a new era in the urban development sector, aiming to reform the sector, improve economic
