13 of 100 Smart Cities Complete Projects, Says Centre: ET RealEstate

Key Takeaways

Thirteen smart cities have completed all their projects, while 48 cities have over 90% completion.
Earlier delays in projects have been attributed to legal issues, land acquisition, and vendor challenges.
The Smart Cities Mission has been extended until March 31, 2025, with significant funding and project investments underway.

Progress Under the Smart Cities Mission

The Smart Cities Mission (SCM) has seen notable achievements, with 13 out of 100 targeted smart cities completing all their projects. Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Tokhan Sahu, reported that 48 cities have exceeded 90% project completion. Notable developments include the installation of over 84,000 CCTV cameras and the creation of 713 kilometers of cycle tracks.

As of November 15, 2024, a total of 714 projects, valued at Rs 17,303 crore, are actively being implemented. Among these, work orders have been issued for 8,066 projects worth Rs 1,64,669 crore, with 91% of the total budget already expended on 7,352 completed projects. The central government allocated Rs 48,000 crore for the mission, releasing Rs 47,225 crore to states and Union territories, of which Rs 44,626 crore has been utilized.

The SCM, launched in June 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will now continue until March 31, 2025, due to requests from various states and Union territories. The minister cited delays in project execution due to issues such as legal hurdles, difficulties in land acquisition, and specific challenges tied to small and medium cities.

Significant infrastructure improvements include over 1,740 kilometers of smart roads and the development of more than 9,433 smart classrooms in government schools. Additionally, 41 digital libraries are now operational, providing seating for 4,809 individuals, while 172 e-health centers and clinics, along with 152 health ATMs, have been established.

Monitoring capabilities for water supply systems have enhanced, with over 17,026 kilometers now tracked using Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) technology, improving efficiency and reducing non-revenue water. As part of waste management initiatives, more than 66 cities are employing advanced technology to optimize collection and management routes, supported by approximately 9,194 vehicles equipped with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for better tracking and efficiency.

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