1. What is the Smart Cities Mission (SCM)?
The SCM is a transformative initiative by the Government of India to drive economic growth and improve the quality of life of people by enabling local development and harnessing technology as a means to create smart outcomes for citizens. It aims to develop 100 cities across the country making them citizen-friendly and sustainable.
2. How many projects have been initiated under the SCM, and what is their completion status as of July 7, 2023?
As of July 7, 2023, work orders have been issued for 7,978 projects under the 100 Smart Cities, with 5,909 projects (74 percent) having been completed.
3. What is the total funding allocated for the SCM projects, and how much has been utilized?
The government has released Rs 73,454 crore for the SCM projects, of which Rs 66,023 crore (90 percent) has been utilized.
4. Which city topped the SCM Rankings for 2023?
Surat city from Gujarat has topped the SCM Rankings for 2023.
5. What are the major areas of focus for SCM projects?
SCM projects focus on core infrastructure elements, a clean and sustainable environment, and the application of 'smart solutions' to various urban problems. This includes solid waste management, water supply, water conservation, urban mobility, and digital governance among others.
6. Have there been any challenges in the implementation of SCM?
Yes, challenges include administrative and execution lacunae, coordination between government departments, data protection and privacy concerns, and mobilization of funds for the projects. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays in project implementation.
7. Are there any initiatives to enhance the impact of SCM?
Yes, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has initiated several programs to enhance SCM's impact, including the National Urban Digital Mission (NUDM), National Urban Learning Platform (NULP), Ease of Living Index (EoLI), Municipal Performance Index (MPI), India Smart Cities Awards Contest (ISAC), and the Urban Learning Internship Programme (TULIP).
8. What is the future outlook for SCM?
The SCM is geared towards creating sustainable and inclusive urban spaces that can accommodate the growing urban population, aiming to mitigate haphazard urbanization and ensure socio-economic benefits to marginalized sections of the population in smart cities.
