Sign In
Learn bits
Schemes & Policies
Mahesh

22/01/25 09:18 AM IST

Status of the Smart Cities Mission

In News
  •  The June 2015 announcement of 100 smart cities aimed to create models of urban development.
Smart cities mission
  • The smart cities initiative was based on the Internet of Things (IoT), a framework that works well in advanced capitalist countries where basic utilities are already in place.
  • In contrast, in India, where basic services are still out of reach for many, “smart cities” essentially mean providing fundamental amenities to residents.
  • The plan included two key components — pan-city proposals which includes IT-enabled services like mobility and waste management; and Area-Based Development (ABD) which was restricted to specific zones within a city, focusing on retrofitting, redevelopment, and greenfield projects.
  • Additionally, governance of these projects bypassed local governments, relying instead on Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) registered under the Companies Act, and managed like private companies.
  • City councils were excluded, based on the assumption that private company-like structures could deliver better results. 
SCM in Shimla
  • Shimla’s smart city plan adhered to guidelines, including pan-city initiatives and ABD projects.
  • The city had proposed a mix of retrofit and redevelopment projects within ABD.
  • The retrofit project had targeted improving city wide pedestrian crossings, vehicular mobility on circular roads, and three transport corridors in addition to underground ducting and parking provision.
  • Additional features were also added that included eco-adventure tourism, and water security through storm water and spring water management.
  • A total of 244 acres of land was supposed to be retrofitted.
  • Redevelopment projects focused on Lower Bazar, Ganj Bazar, and Krishnanagar. The aim was to replace dilapidated, unsafe buildings with modern, resilient, earthquake-safe structures that could boost tourism.
  • The total estimated investment for Shimla was ₹2,906 crore, with funding sources as follows — ₹897.80 crore from Public-Private Partnerships (PPP); ₹101.77 crore through municipal bonds; ₹205.57 crore from external borrowings; and ₹348.49 crore from State and Union government schemes, and the rest from other sources.
  • However, as of now, according to the Smart City dashboard, only ₹707 crore (24% of the original budget) has been spent: ₹53 crore on completed projects and ₹654 crore on ongoing ones.
  • The proposed PPP contribution has not yet materialised. 
Outcome of the Mission
  • None of the funds have been utilised for the redevelopment of the Lower Bazar, Middle Bazar, or Krishnanagar.
  • Traffic congestion has worsened, and despite initial plans, non-motorised mobility remains neglected. Instead, funds were spent on flower pots worth ₹2 crore.
  • Moreover, large, visually intrusive structures were erected for escalators that remain non-operational, obstructing Shimla’s iconic valley views.
  • As the Smart City Mission approaches its final chapter, the lessons are glaringly evident.
  • Projects devoid of meaningful urban governance and public involvement, are bound to fail. With no ownership or accountability, the smart city vision has faded into oblivion. 
Source- The Hindu

More Related Current Affairs View All

05 Mar

First-ever comprehensive survey of India’s river dolphins

'Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the results of the first-ever comprehensive population estimation of riverine dolphins – Gangetic and Indus dolphins – done in In

Read More

05 Mar

Arresting women at night

'The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court in Deepa versus S. Vijayalakshmi and Others ruled that the legal provision in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, which

Read More

05 Mar

Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023

'The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) looking to wrap up public consultations on the draft Rules for the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 by Mar

Read More

India’s First Ai-Driven Magazine Generator

Generate Your Custom Current Affairs Magazine using our AI in just 3 steps