What is the status of the Smart Cities Mission?

What is the status of the Smart Cities Mission?

Sub : Schemes

Sec: Economy

About Smart Cities Mission

• The Smart Cities Mission (SCM) is a flagship urban renewal and retrofitting program launched by the Government of India on June 25, 2015. It is implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) with the objective of driving sustainable and inclusive development in selected cities to create models of urban innovation and efficiency.

Key Features of the Smart Cities Mission:

• Objectives:
  • Enhance urban living quality by promoting core infrastructure.
  • Provide a clean and sustainable environment with the help of technology-driven solutions.
  • Transform cities into economic hubs while ensuring inclusive growth.
• Key Components:
  The mission focuses on two major components:
  • Pan-City Solutions:
    Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to improve service delivery and governance. Examples include:
    • Intelligent traffic management systems.
    • Waste management solutions.
    • Smart water and electricity systems.
  •  Area-Based Development (ABD):
    Targeted interventions within a specific area of the city through:
    • Retrofitting: Infrastructure upgrades without significant alteration to existing structures.
    • Redevelopment: Demolishing and rebuilding entire areas with new layouts and structures.
    • Greenfield Development: Developing vacant land with innovative planning, such as smart industrial parks or residential areas.

Governance was structured around Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) registered under the Companies Act, bypassing local governments to adopt corporate efficiency.

Progress in Shimla (Case Study):

Shimla joined the mission after a legal challenge in the Himachal Pradesh High Court. Its smart city proposal included:

• Retrofitting Projects:
  • Improving pedestrian crossings and vehicular mobility on circular roads.
  • Developing three transport corridors.
  • Implementing underground ducting, parking solutions, and stormwater management to enhance water security.
• Redevelopment Projects:
  • Replacing unsafe, dilapidated structures in Lower Bazar, Ganj Bazar, and Krishnanagar with resilient, earthquake-safe buildings to boost tourism.
  • Eco-Tourism Focus: Promoting eco-adventure tourism.

Outcomes in Shimla:

• Core redevelopment projects (Lower Bazar, etc.) were abandoned.
• Non-motorized mobility projects were neglected.
• Funds were misallocated to trivial items like flower pots (₹2 crore) and non-functional escalators, which also obstructed valley views.
• Traffic congestion has worsened, with no significant improvement in urban mobility.