SMART CITIES MISSION

Copyright infringement not intended

Picture Courtesy: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/90-of-projects-under-smart-cities-mission-completed-urban-affairs-ministry/article68605600.ece

Context:

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs announced that 90% of projects under the Smart Cities Mission (SCM) are completed. 

About Smart Cities Mission (SCM) 

• It was launched in 2015 to transform urban areas into more efficient, sustainable, and livable spaces. 
• It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme designed to address the growing urban challenges in India. 
• The aim is to enhance the quality of life in 100 selected cities by improving infrastructure, services, and sustainability.
  • • As of August 2024, over 90% of the projects have been completed. 
    • The Mission was recently extended to March 2025, to complete the pending projects.
• The vision of this mission is to create urban spaces that are technologically advanced, well-managed, and meet the diverse needs of the residents.
• The total Central assistance for the Smart Cities Mission was ₹48,000 crore.
• The Smart Cities Mission focuses on transforming specific areas through:
  • • Upgrading existing areas, including slums, to improve living conditions.
    • Redevelopment and rebuilding of outdated urban spaces.
    • Developing new urban areas to accommodate growing populations.

• Each Smart city sets up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to streamline project execution.

Objectives of the Mission

• Ensuring a reliable and clean water supply.
• Providing consistent power to all areas.
• Improving waste management and sanitation services.
• Enhancing public transport and traffic management.
• Building affordable homes for the poor.
• Developing robust IT infrastructure.
• Promoting transparency and citizen participation through e-governance.
• Implementing eco-friendly practices.
• Enhancing public safety, particularly for vulnerable groups.
• Improving healthcare and educational facilities.

Challenges

• Indian cities face the issue of outdated infrastructure that may not support advanced technological development.
  • • Replacing infrastructure or upgrading it needs significant financial investment. 
• The dependency on digital systems raises concerns about data breaches, cyber-attacks and privacy of the citizens. 
  • • Collecting and managing large amounts of data can lead to privacy issues if not handled properly.
• Inequality in the access to Digital technologies will further increase existing inequalities. 
• Many Indian cities struggle with limited financial resources for development-related work.
• Current regulations may not meet the needs of smart cities.

Way Forward

• Need to develop a comprehensive smart city strategy that aligns with broader urban planning and sustainable development goals.
• Stakeholders, including government agencies, businesses, and community members, must be involved in the planning process.
• Investment needs to be made in upgrading existing infrastructure to support smart technologies.
• Strong cybersecurity protocols and regular security audits must be developed.
• Training and resources should be provided to improve digital skills among residents.
• Ensure that digital technologies are accessible to all segments of the population, and take steps to address the digital divide. 
• Find alternate funding mechanisms; like crowdfunding or green bonds.
• Technologies and services should be designed based on the needs and preferences of residents.

Must Read Articles: 

Smart Cities Mission (SCM)

Source: 

The Hindu

Wikipedia