Context
Inspite of making significant investments in India’s Smart Cities Mission, there are loopholes especially in terms of maintenance and sustainability, as, of late observed severe flooding in cities like Bengaluru and Pune.
About Smart City Mission
(a) Its goal is to address the rising urban challenges by converging technology and sustainable development into city planning.
(b) Launched in 2015 to transform urban centers with the help of technology-driven solutions.
(c) Its purpose included enhancing infrastructure, ameliorating governance, and making sustainable cities.
(d) It emphasized area-based development, such as retrofitting, redevelopment, and greenfield projects. Also, pan-city solutions that utilised digital tools for efficient urban management.
(e) It aligns with 15 out of 17 SDGs, focusing on liveability, economic growth, and sustainability.
Operational Framework
(i) Selection Process: A two-stage competition took place to select 100 such cities.
(ii) Implementation: Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) handle project execution.
(iii) Centrally Sponsored Scheme: ₹48,000 crore allocated by the central government over five years (₹100 crore per city annually).
(a) States or Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) need to match funding.
(b) Additional resources raised through municipal bonds, government programs, and public-private partnerships (PPP).
(iv) The mission has sanctioned over 8,000 projects across 100 cities, with an estimated investment of ₹1.67 lakh crore.
(v) Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs) were responsible for enabling real-time monitoring and decision-making.
Key Achievements of the Mission
As of December 2024, 91% of the total projects have been completed. It reflects significant progress in reshaping urban landscapes across India.
(i) Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCC): All 100 Smart Cities have operational ICCCs. They will leverage data to make informed decisions. They functioned as Covid war rooms during the pandemic and have significantly improved city operations. It includes transport, water supply, and solid waste management by integrating emerging technologies like AI, IoT, and Data Analytics.
(ii) Public Safety and Security: Over 84,000 CCTV surveillance cameras installed in 100 Smart Cities, aiding in crime monitoring. Moreover, 1,884 emergency call boxes, 3,000 public address systems, and traffic enforcement systems for red light violations. Also, automatic number plate recognition installed for enhancing public safety.
(iii) Water Supply: SCADA is monitoring more than 17,000 kilometers of the water supply system, reducing non-revenue water and leakages.
(iv) Solid Waste Management: Over 66 cities are managing solid waste with increased technology use. Moreover, improving route management, efficiency of collection, and daily management.
(v) Mobility: Around 1700 kilometers of smart roads and 713 kilometers of cycle tracks have been developed. Moreover, an Intelligent Transport Management System (ITMS) is also implemented and is being monitored through ICCCs, ameliorating traffic operations, imposing traffic violations, and minimizing journey time.
(vi) Education and Health: 9,433 smart classrooms and 41 digital libraries have been developed. 172 e-health centers and clinics (without dedicated beds) have been developed, and 152 health ATMs have also been installed.
Challenges and Concerns
(i) Maintenance & Sustainability Concerns: Inspite of large financial commitment, cities like Bengaluru and Pune have fought with flooding. Inadequate clear guidelines for maintaining smart city assets raises concerns about the sustainability of such investments.
(ii) Governance and Implementation Issues: Their governance model avoid local governments and depend on SPVs, which functioned like private players.
(iii) Delays and Incomplete Projects: Although the SCM was concluded on March 31, 2025, 7% of projects are still pending. Many cities faced challenges in completing their planned infrastructure updates within the stipulated timeframe, resulting in uncertainty about their future.
(iv) Financial and Strategic Concerns: SCM has distributed funds through a grant structure that does not have a cohesive national strategy.
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Way Forward
(i) Resposible governance: The Smart Cities have to go beyond infrastructure upgrades and insert a culture of maintenance and performance tracking. Without proactive governance, cities risk repeating cycles of neglect and reconstruction.
(ii) Expanding Digital Infrastructure: Smart cities should continuously invest in tech-driven solutions. For eg, real-time monitoring systems, AI-based traffic management, and IoT-enabled urban services. A robust digital infrastructure will ameliorate efficiency and responsiveness.
(iii) Citizen-Centric Urban Planning: Integrating elected city councils into decision-making processes can ensure transparency and accountability. Public participation in urban planning can make cities more responsive to residents’ needs.
Conclusion
India’s Smart Cities Mission has made significant progress, but sustainability and maintenance remain concerning areas. Taking stock of these challenges requires clear operational strategies, accountability, and a hypermyopic vision to ensure that smart cities remain truly ‘smart’ in the future.