The Smart City Mission, a flagship initiative of the Union Government, has achieved significant progress with 86% of funds utilized and 69% of projects completed, according to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. In a written reply to Lok Sabha, Minister of State Kaushal Kishore provided an update on the mission’s status, highlighting the substantial work done thus far.
As per the minister’s statement, work orders for a total of 7,799 projects were issued under the Smart City Mission. Out of these, an impressive 5,399 projects have already been completed as of March 3rd, 2023, indicating the mission’s steady pace of implementation.
The minister further disclosed that the Center and State governments have jointly released a sum of ₹69,685 crore for the Smart City Mission, of which ₹59,791 crore has been effectively utilized. These funds have been utilized to support various projects aimed at transforming cities into smart and sustainable urban centers.
To ensure the completion of projects within the stipulated time frame, the implementation period of the Smart City Mission has been extended until June 2023. All smart cities participating in the mission are expected to meet their project objectives and deliver the intended outcomes within this extended period.
The Smart City Mission was launched by the Central Government on June 25, 2015, with the objective of developing 100 smart cities across the country. Through a rigorous selection process comprising four rounds of competition from January 2016 to June 2016, one hundred cities were chosen to participate in the mission.
The mission’s progress reflects the commitment of the government towards the development and modernization of urban areas. By leveraging smart technologies and innovative solutions, the Smart City Mission aims to enhance the quality of life for residents, improve infrastructure, and promote sustainable urban growth.
With a majority of funds utilized and a significant number of projects completed, the Smart City Mission is making steady strides towards achieving its objectives. The ongoing efforts are expected to pave the way for smarter, more resilient, and future-ready cities in India.
