The Smart Cities Mission is a flagship initiative launched by the Indian government to transform the existing cities into sustainable and livable smart cities. The mission was launched in 2015 and is aimed at creating 100 smart cities across the country in the next few years. The Ministry of Urban Development is the nodal agency responsible for implementing the mission in collaboration with the state governments.
Objectives of the Smart Cities Mission
The Smart Cities Mission aims to achieve several objectives. Firstly, it aims to provide citizens with basic infrastructure and services such as water supply, sanitation, solid waste management, transportation, and housing. Secondly, it aims to create a safe and secure environment for citizens, through the implementation of smart solutions such as surveillance systems, smart lighting, and command and control centers. Thirdly, the mission aims to promote sustainable development by reducing carbon emissions, improving energy efficiency, and promoting the use of renewable energy sources.
Implementation of the Smart Cities Mission
The implementation of the Smart Cities Mission is a multi-stage process that involves various stakeholders, including the central government, state governments, urban local bodies, and the private sector. The first stage involves the selection of cities that will participate in the mission, based on a competition held among the cities. The cities that are selected are then required to prepare a smart city proposal that outlines the projects and initiatives that will be undertaken to transform the city into a smart city.
Once the proposal is approved, the selected cities are provided with funding for the implementation of the smart city projects. The funding is provided by the central government and the state governments, through the creation of a special-purpose vehicle (SPV). The SPV is responsible for the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the smart city projects.
Progress of the Smart Cities Mission
As of now, 100 cities have been selected to participate in the Smart Cities Mission. Out of these, 22 cities have completed all their projects and the remaining 78 cities are expected to complete their projects in the next 3 to 4 months. The progress of the mission has been steady and the cities are expected to fully implement all the projects by the end of the next financial year.
Challenges faced by the Smart Cities Mission
Despite its success, the Smart Cities Mission faces several challenges that need to be addressed. One of the major challenges is the lack of private sector participation, which is crucial for the successful implementation of the mission. Another challenge is the limited availability of funds, which restricts the scope and scale of the projects that can be undertaken. Additionally, there are challenges related to the governance structure, capacity building, and coordination among various stakeholders.
