The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry has issued an advisory to repurpose the Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) created under the Smart Cities Mission (SCM), aiming to align them with broader urban development priorities at city and state levels. States and Union Territories have been encouraged to identify their urban sector goals and assess where SPVs can continue to provide strategic support.

The advisory outlines five key areas for future engagement: technology support, project implementation, consulting services, research and assessment, and investment facilitation.

Since its launch in 2015, the SCM has promoted innovation and integrated infrastructure at the city level. SPVs were responsible for planning, developing, and executing projects under the mission and have proven effective in delivering complex, multi-sectoral initiatives.

Given the substantial investment in building and strengthening SPVs and Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs), and their increasing importance in assisting Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) with evolving urban issues, the ministry has recommended that these entities continue to function even after the official conclusion of the SCM on March 31.

The advisory also includes a roadmap for the continued operation of ICCCs and emphasises the need to leverage the institutional and technical capabilities developed within SPVs to address future urban challenges.

News source: The Print