Subject: Indian Society

The urban landscape in India faces significant challenges with 52.8% of urban households lacking exclusive toilets and growing concerns over infrastructure, mobility, and quality of life. The Smart Cities Mission (SCM), launched in 2015, represents a paradigm shift in urban development, aiming to create sustainable and citizen-friendly cities through technology-driven solutions.

Background of Urban Life Quality in India

• Infrastructure Gaps: Despite rapid urbanization, cities struggle with basic amenities, as evidenced by only 77.6% of urban households having exclusive-use latrines according to NSSO 2018 data.

• Environmental Concerns: Rising pollution levels, inadequate waste management, and deteriorating green spaces affect urban livability.

• Service Delivery: Cities face challenges in providing efficient public services, transportation, and healthcare facilities.

Objectives of Smart City Programme

• Core Vision: Creating sustainable urban ecosystems through integration of technology and data-driven governance.

• Key Focus Areas:

  • Area-based Development: Retrofitting and redevelopment of selected urban areas.
  • Pan-city Initiatives: Implementation of smart solutions across the entire city.
  • Sustainable Development: Promoting eco-friendly practices and green infrastructure.

Strategy Implementation

• Project Execution:

  • As of December 2023, 6,419 out of 7,970 projects have been completed under SCM.
  • 56 cities have achieved over 80% completion rate.
  • Madurai has achieved 100% project completion.

• Technology Integration:

  • Implementation of Integrated Command and Control Centers (ICCCs).
  • Digital solutions for urban services and citizen engagement.

• Collaborative Approach:

  • Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models for project execution.
  • Citizen participation through various platforms.

The transformative journey of India's urban landscape through the Smart Cities Mission, guided by the National Urban Policy Framework (2020) and NITI Aayog's reforms, demonstrates a commitment to creating sustainable, inclusive, and technologically advanced urban spaces. The success of cities like Madurai serves as a model for others, while addressing regional disparities remains crucial for comprehensive urban development.