India’s Smart Cities Mission, launched in 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to tackle urban challenges. With a focus on sustainable and inclusive development, the mission has achieved remarkable milestones.
The Smart Cities Mission in India has seen substantial progress, with 7,959 projects, valued at ₹1,71,224 crore, receiving work orders. Notably, 6,271 projects, totaling ₹1,16,269 crore, have already been completed. As of December 2023, the Union government has released ₹78,749.88 crore for the project, with a substantial portion, ₹71,135.70 crore (90%), effectively utilized.
Targeting challenges faced by rapidly growing urban areas, the mission addresses issues such as waste management, pollution, traffic congestion, and crime. The objective is to find innovative solutions, foster economic growth, and improve citizens’ quality of life through upgraded infrastructure and technology.
Cities participating in a nationwide challenge serve as models for sustainable development, aiming to provide essential infrastructure, ensure a decent quality of life, and nurture clean and sustainable environments. This includes a 24-hour electricity supply, clean drinking water, efficient public transportation, and the incorporation of technologies like GPS.
Taking inspiration from global examples like Barcelona’s promotion of solar energy and Curitiba’s citizen-incentivized recycling, India’s Smart Cities Mission contributes to and learns from the global movement toward smart cities.
Managed by the Ministry of Urban Development in collaboration with state governments, over 100 sustainable smart cities are in development, attracting interest from countries like France, Germany, Japan, the USA, the UK, and others.
Recognizing innovative efforts, the Smart Cities India 2024 Awards celebrate contributions to sustainable development, aligning with India’s broader trend as a hub for modernization and technological advancement.
The 31st Convergence India and 9th Smart Cities India expo, a three-day exhibition that commenced on January 17 at Pragati Maidan, highlights the role of technology in the sustainability revolution. The event showcases emerging technologies in IoT, AI, and blockchain, emphasizing the convergence of digital and urban development. The expo also includes conference sessions covering topics such as 6G technology, AI-driven telecom, mobile manufacturing, and the future of smart cities in India.
During the exhibition’s inauguration, Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh, Governor of Uttarakhand, expressed optimism for the rapid development of sustainable cities. Chandrika Behl, Managing Director of Exhibitions India Group, underscored the expo’s significance in bridging the digital, social, and economic divide in India.
By Ranu Jain