SMART CITIES MISSION

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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    • Redevelopment and rebuilding of outdated urban spaces.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• Indian cities face the issue of outdated infrastructure that may not support advanced technological development.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

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Discuss the primary objectives of the Smart Cities Mission (SCM) launched in 2015. How does the mission align with the broader goals of urban development in India?