Centre Confirms No Plans for New Cities Under Smart Cities Mission

19 Dec 2024 CW Team

The government informed the Rajya Sabha that there are currently no plans to include additional cities under the Smart Cities Mission (SCM). In response to a query about the possibility of selecting 100 new cities, apart from the 100 already chosen, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu stated in his written reply, “At present, there is no proposal under consideration by the Central Government to extend the existing SCM by adding more cities.” The Smart Cities Mission, launched on June 25, 2015, has an allocation of Rs 480 billion for the 100 cities currently selected. As of November 11, 2024, a total of Rs 881.77 billion has been released to States and Union Territories under SCM, with Rs 823.51 billion utilised. A total of 8,066 projects worth Rs 1646.69 billion have been sanctioned, with 7,352 projects (91%) worth Rs 1473.66 billion completed. The remaining 714 projects, valued at Rs 173.03 billion, are still in progress. While the government views urbanisation as an opportunity for faster economic growth, challenges persist in the implementation of smart city projects. Issues such as legal hurdles, delays in obtaining clearances, land acquisition, construction in hilly areas, and resource constraints in smaller cities have affected the progress. The Smart Cities Mission aims to improve quality of life, provide efficient services, and create sustainable infrastructure in the selected cities. (ANI)

Real Estate

26 Jun 2026

AGM Vijaylaxmi launches Sixty3 W.E. Bizpark

AGM Vijaylaxmi Group has launched Sixty3 W.E. Bizpark, a mixed-use commercial development in Goregaon East, Mumbai. The project includes contemporary office spaces and a high-street retail component designed to support businesses, retailers and professionals.Located along the Western Express Highway, Sixty3 W.E. Bizpark is planned as a G+25-storey commercial tower. It offers office spaces ranging from 545 sq ft to 3,200 sq ft, with a 3.60 metre floor-to-floor height aimed at improving spatial comfort, natural light and operational efficiency.The project features a high-street retail boulevard ..

Manglam Group to Develop Sheraton Hotel in Jaipur

Manglam Group has signed an agreement with Marriott International to develop a Sheraton hotel on the Jaipur–Ajmer Highway in Jaipur. The project will feature 220 keys and is being developed with an investment of around Rs 3.5 billion across more than 300,000 sq ft.The hotel marks Manglam Group’s third collaboration with Marriott International and forms part of its Rs 10 billion hospitality investment roadmap. The agreement was signed by Amrita Gupta, Director, Manglam Group and CEO, Manglam Spa and Resorts, and Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific excluding Greater China, Marriott Interna..

India Warehousing Show 2026 opens at YashoBhoomi

India's warehousing, logistics, and supply chain ecosystem came together as the 15th edition of India Warehousing Show (IWS) 2026 opened at YashoBhoomi, India International Convention & Expo Centre (IICC), Dwarka, New Delhi on June 25 (Thursday). Organised by RX India, the three-day event will run from 25-27 June 2026, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, technology providers, and supply chain professionals under one roof. It also features a two-day knowledge conference that will run alongside the exhibition. Inaugurated by Pankaj Kumar, Joint Secretary - Logistics, DPIIT..