The central government clarified on Monday in the Rajya Sabha that there is no current proposal to expand the “Smart Cities Mission” (SCM) to include additional cities beyond the 100 already selected. This statement came in response to queries regarding the potential identification and development of another set of 100 cities under the ambitious initiative. Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Tokhan Sahu, in his written reply, emphasized that at present, there is no proposal under consideration to extend the existing Smart Cities Mission by adding more cities.
Launched in 2015, the Smart Cities Mission has a central outlay of Rs 48,000 crore with the goal of transforming 100 cities into hubs of sustainable and efficient urban living. As of November 11, 2024, the mission has seen significant financial disbursements, with Rs 88,177 crore allocated to states and union territories. Of this, Rs 82,351 crore has reportedly been utilized. The mission has made substantial progress, with 8,066 projects worth Rs 1,64,669 crore having been approved. Of these, 7,352 projects (91% of the total) have been successfully completed, amounting to an investment of Rs 1,47,366 crore. These projects cover areas such as smart governance, mobility, sustainable infrastructure, and digital integration.
Currently, 714 projects, totaling Rs 17,303 crore, are still under implementation. The government has expressed its confidence in the success of these ongoing projects, which continue to improve urban infrastructure and living standards. While progress has been made, the government acknowledged several challenges in the implementation of the Smart Cities Mission. These include issues such as legal hurdles, delays in obtaining necessary clearances from various departments, land acquisition problems, challenges related to construction in hilly areas, and difficulties in vendor and resource availability in small and medium cities. Furthermore, the centralization of decision-making in a few cities has also been identified as a challenge in the execution of projects.
The Smart Cities Mission, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 25, 2015, aims to enhance the quality of life in 100 selected cities by providing efficient services, robust infrastructure, and a sustainable environment. The mission has been pivotal in redefining urban spaces, integrating technology, and addressing the growing challenges of urbanization. With its focus on creating smart governance and sustainable infrastructure, the Smart Cities Mission continues to reshape India’s urban future. Despite the challenges, the mission has been recognized for making cities more livable and technologically advanced, positioning them as models for sustainable urban development across the nation.