‘90% projects under Smart Cities Mission completed’

Highlights:

• The Smart Cities Mission (SCM), launched in 2015 to improve the quality of life in urban areas, has successfully completed over 90% of its projects.
• However, the remaining 10% are facing delays due to legal hurdles, land acquisition challenges, and difficulties in resource availability, particularly in small and medium cities.

Mission Overview

Launched in 2015:

• The SCM was initiated on June 25, 2015, with the goal of transforming 100 selected cities into more efficient, sustainable, and citizen-friendly urban spaces.
• The mission focuses on providing robust infrastructure and efficient services while addressing the diverse needs of urban residents.
• Following requests from various stakeholders, the mission period has been extended to March 31, 2025, to allow completion of the ongoing projects.

Progress Report:

• Out of the 100 smart cities, 17 have completed all of their projects, while 75% of projects have been completed in 75 cities. A total of 34 cities have completed over 90% of their projects, according to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

Financial Status

Funding and Utilisation:

• The SCM had a total financial outlay of ₹48,000 crore from the Central government, of which ₹46,787 crore has already been released. More than 90% of these funds have been utilized to support the mission’s objectives across the 100 cities.

Approaches to Implementation

Area-Based Development (ABD):

• The implementation of the Smart Cities Mission is being carried out through two key approaches.
• First, cities are employing an Area-Based Development (ABD) model, wherein a designated area within each city is selected for intensive development. These ABD areas serve as models for the rest of the city, showcasing targeted improvements through citizen-driven planning.

Pan-City Projects:

• The second approach includes Pan-City Projects, focusing on technology-driven solutions across the entire city. These projects aim to improve urban services through innovations such as smart traffic management, public safety measures, and efficient resource utilization.

Key Projects Under SCM

Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCC):

• One of the flagship projects under SCM is the creation of Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs). These centres leverage data to make informed decisions in real time, improving city management. Other notable initiatives include the installation of CCTV surveillance cameras, emergency call boxes, public address systems, and automated traffic enforcement systems.

Impact on Public Safety:

• These technological interventions have significantly enhanced public safety by assisting in crime monitoring, improving traffic management, and ensuring faster emergency responses.

Prelims Takeaways:

• Area-Based Development (ABD) model
• Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs