India's Smart Cities Mission (SCM)

Launched in 2015, India's Smart Cities Mission (SCM) was conceived to tackle urban challenges using technology and sustainable development practices. The mission has witnessed significant investments and has transformed several urban centers through technology-driven solutions. However, as recent challenges like severe flooding in Bengaluru and Pune highlight, maintenance and sustainability remain key concerns.

Objectives and Features of the Smart Cities Mission

The mission's core focus is on enhancing urban infrastructure, improving governance, and promoting sustainable development. It integrates digital tools and aims to make cities more liveable, economically viable, and resilient to future challenges.

• Core Goals:

  • Improved urban infrastructure (roads, sanitation, water supply).

  • Sustainability through eco-friendly and efficient solutions.

  • Smart governance through technology-based decision-making.

  • Economic growth by creating better business environments.

• Operational Framework:

  • Selection Process: 100 cities were chosen through a competitive process, where local bodies submitted proposals for infrastructure projects.

  • Execution via SPVs: Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) manage the execution of projects, often bypassing local governments.

  • Funding: The central government allocated ₹48,000 crore, with an equal matching requirement from states or Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). In addition, funding is raised through municipal bonds and public-private partnerships (PPP).

• Projects & Investments:

  • Over 8,000 projects have been sanctioned, with an investment of ₹1.67 lakh crore across the 100 cities.

  • Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs) were set up for real-time monitoring and decision-making.

Challenges in the Smart Cities Mission

Despite significant progress, the SCM has encountered several hurdles, particularly around maintenance, sustainability, and governance.

1. Maintenance & Sustainability

One of the most pressing issues has been maintenance. While infrastructure upgrades were made, cities like Bengaluru and Pune continue to struggle with issues like flooding and poor drainage systems. The core problem lies in the lack of clear guidelines for long-term asset maintenance. Without proactive care, smart city assets—such as smart lighting, water management systems, and surveillance technologies—are prone to deterioration, leading to the failure of long-term sustainability.

2. Governance & Implementation Issues

The governance model of the SCM has been a point of contention. The reliance on SPVs (special-purpose vehicles) for execution of projects, which are often set up as independent entities, means local governments have limited direct oversight. This has caused a disconnect between the elected representatives and the executing agencies, which weakens transparency, accountability, and long-term planning.

Furthermore, many cities have faced delays in project implementation, and a 7% backlog of unfinished projects is expected by the conclusion of the mission in March 2025. This raises concerns about unfinished urban planning, leading to uncertainty about the future of these projects.

3. Financial & Strategic Concerns

While significant funds have been allocated, the mission’s grant structure lacks a cohesive national strategy, leading to inefficiencies in fund disbursement. There is also a lack of coordination between different levels of government (central, state, and local bodies), which further complicates the timely execution and completion of projects.

4. Climate Resilience

Extreme weather events, such as flooding, are becoming more frequent, as observed in Bengaluru and Pune. These cities, despite being part of the Smart Cities Mission, were unprepared for the level of rainfall and water runoff. Climate-resilient urban planning, focusing on drainage systems, green infrastructure, and stormwater management, needs to be integrated into the mission more effectively.

Long-Term Strategy

1. Focus on Maintenance and Sustainability

The most significant challenge going forward is to ensure that upgraded infrastructure continues to function efficiently after the initial development phase. Long-term strategies for asset maintenance, monitoring, and performance tracking should be embedded within the governance structure from the outset. Proactive management is critical to avoid repeating cycles of neglect and reconstruction.

2. Expanding Digital Infrastructure

To ensure that smart cities truly live up to their name, a continued investment in technology is vital. Building digital infrastructure—like real-time monitoring systems, AI-based traffic management, and IoT-enabled urban services—will help improve the efficiency, responsiveness, and sustainability of urban systems.

3. Citizen-Centric Urban Planning

Involving elected city councils and encouraging citizen participation in urban planning will enhance transparency and accountability. By ensuring public feedback is taken into account, cities can be more responsive to the needs of the people and align development with local priorities.

4. Climate Change Adaptation

Cities should incorporate climate change resilience into the smart city design, including flood management, water conservation, and green building strategies. Addressing the environmental challenges such as deforestation, floods, and land degradation will be critical to the long-term viability of the mission.

5. Strengthening Governance and Implementation

There is a need for a stronger alignment between local governments and the SPVs. Ensuring that local governments are integrated into the decision-making process will help streamline implementation and reduce delays.

Conclusion

India’s Smart Cities Mission has achieved notable successes in transforming urban landscapes through technology, but it is clear that maintenance, sustainability, and governance remain critical challenges. The mission's future success will depend on addressing these concerns with a clear long-term vision, a well-coordinated national strategy, and a focus on inclusive and resilient urban planning. By ensuring proactive governance, continued investment in digital infrastructure, and active citizen engagement, India’s smart cities can live up to their full potential in the coming years.