Smart Cities Mission period extended till March 2025
Context:
The Centre has extended the Smart Cities Mission (SCM) under the Union Urban Development Ministry until March 31, 2025.
- Launched in June 2015, the mission aims to develop 100 cities across India into smart cities through various multi-sectoral projects.
Relevance:
GS-02 (Government policies and interventions)
Smart Cities Mission:
- It was launched on June 2015.
- The main objective of the mission was to transform selected cities into model smart cities through comprehensive area development plans, enhancing urban infrastructure and services.
- 100 cities were selected through a competitive process.
- More than 8,000 multi-sectoral projects with a total investment of approximately ₹1.6 lakh crore.
- As of July 3, 2024, 7,188 projects (90% of the total) have been completed.
- Projects cover various sectors, including urban mobility, water supply, sanitation, energy management, and public safety.
Components of the Smart Cities Mission (SCM):
Area-based Development:
- Redevelopment:
- Objective: Renewal of existing urban areas to enhance infrastructure and amenities.
- Example: Bhendi Bazaar in Mumbai.
- Retrofitting:
- Objective: Upgrading infrastructure in existing areas to make them more efficient and sustainable.
- Example: Local Area Development in Ahmedabad.
- Greenfield Projects:
- Objective: Development of new urban areas with a focus on sustainability and smart technologies.
- Examples: New Town in Kolkata, Naya Raipur, GIFT City.
Pan-City Solutions:
- Objective: Implementation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solutions across various sectors.
- Applications: E-governance, waste management, water management, energy management, urban mobility, and skill development.
Governance Structure:
- New Model: To enhance effectiveness, a new governance model was adopted.
- Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV): Created under the Companies Act, 2013, led by a bureaucrat or a representative from a multinational corporation (MNC).
Current Status of the Smart Cities Mission (SCM):
- Initial Timeline: Initially planned for completion by 2020.
- Extensions: The mission has been extended twice, with the current deadline set for June 2024.
- Funding Pattern: Envisioned through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) route.
Related Posts
Helina
Posted on