Key Takeaways
- Seven of 47 projects under the Nagpur Smart City initiative remain incomplete as the transfer to the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) approaches.
- While 39 projects have been completed, the non-functional smart kiosks highlight operational challenges faced by the NSSCDCL.
- Experts warn of risks to high-value assets post-transfer, due to manpower shortages and financial constraints at NMC.
Project Status and Transfer to NMC
The Nagpur Smart and Sustainable City Development Corporation Limited (NSSCDCL) is nearing the end of its operations, with a deadline for transferring all assets to the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) set for December 31, 2025. Of the 47 projects initiated as part of the Smart Cities Mission since Nagpur’s selection in 2016, seven projects remain incomplete. Initially scheduled for completion by June 2021, deadlines have been extended multiple times, pushing the final date to December 2025.
The total investment for these projects, funded mainly by the central government, reached about Rs741.63 crore. This includes Rs524 crore allocated to the Smart and Safe City Project, which features 17 smart solutions such as CCTV surveillance, an integrated command and control center, and traffic monitoring systems. Additionally, an area-based development (ABD) plan aimed to enhance 1,743 acres in parts of East Nagpur got a significant boost from state funding.
Currently, six of the seven incomplete projects are still under construction, primarily involving road works, while one project aimed at rehabilitating brick kiln families has stalled due to a lack of necessary approvals from local authorities.
Completed Projects and Ongoing Issues
The process for handing over 39 completed projects to the NMC is underway. This includes the smart solutions component, featuring an extensive network of 3,698 CCTV cameras for crime detection and traffic regulation. NMC has contracted KELTRON to maintain these cameras for five years at an annual cost of Rs 25 crore.
However, challenges remain. The robotics scavenger project, intended for mechanized drain cleaning, is pending a decision on a seven-year operation contract. Furthermore, 65 smart kiosks installed in 2018 to facilitate access to civic services are non-operational due to a failure in integrating with essential government departments. This has raised concerns, considering taxpayer investment and the project’s potential.
Post-transfer, NMC will bear the responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the entire Smart City infrastructure. Experts caution that without thorough planning, valuable assets risk becoming neglected, much like the defunct smart kiosks, amidst ongoing manpower and financial limitations.
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