More than 90% of funds allocated under Smart Cities Mission utilised

Tags: National Government Schemes National News

Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has announced that more than 90% of the funds allocated under the Smart Cities Mission are being utilized and 73% of the projects have already been completed.

An overview of the news

• The smart city project was to be completed within five years of the selection of the city.

• However, in 2021, the ministry changed the deadline to June 2023 for all cities.

About Smart Cities Mission

• Smart Cities Mission is an initiative of the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs which was launched in 2015.

• It aims to transform urban areas into sustainable, citizen-friendly and technologically advanced cities.

• The mission's primary objective is to enhance the quality of life for citizens by providing them with improved infrastructure, better governance, and increased economic opportunities.

• Between January 2016 and June 2018 (when the last city, Shillong, was selected), the ministry selected 100 cities for the mission in five rounds.

Selection Process

• The mission follows a competitive approach where cities submit proposals based on specific criteria, including the adoption of smart solutions, citizen engagement, and sustainable development. 

• The selected cities undergo redevelopment in a phased manner.

Core components

• Infrastructure development: Emphasis is placed on developing physical infrastructure such as transportation systems, water supply, sanitation, and affordable housing to meet the needs of the urban population.

• Technology integration: The mission integrates technology to improve service delivery, including data analytics and smart grids devices for efficient resource management and real-time monitoring.

• Citizen engagement: The mission focuses on citizen participation and engagement through mobile applications and feedback mechanisms, empowering them to contribute to decision-making processes and hold authorities accountable.

• Sustainable practices: The mission promotes sustainable development by encouraging the use of renewable energy sources, green building practices, waste management systems, and efficient urban planning.

Funds Utilisation

• Till 1 May 2023, a total of Rs 38,400 crore was released for the Smart Cities Mission.

• Out of this amount, ₹35,261 crore has already been utilized for various projects.

Project Completion

• The Smart Cities Mission includes around 7,800 projects worth Rs 1.8 lakh crore.

• Of these projects, more than 5,700 projects worth Rs 1.1 lakh crore have been completed.

• The remaining projects are expected to be completed by June 30, 2024.

• Currently, only 22 out of 100 designated cities have successfully completed all the projects under the mission.