Govt Announces Major Advances in Smart Cities and 5G Projects

07 Aug 2024 CW Team

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Tokhan Sahu, the Minister of State for Housing & Urban Affairs, provided an update on the Smart Cities Mission and the 5G rollout in India.

As of July 12, 2024, data from 100 smart cities indicated that work orders had been issued for 8,016 projects with a total value of Rs 1.64 trillion. Among these, 7,218 projects worth Rs 1.45 trillion had been completed, reflecting considerable progress in the mission?s implementation.

The minister also outlined the government?s efforts to advance the spread of 5G services nationwide. Key measures included allocating adequate spectrum through auctions, implementing financial reforms to rationalize Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR), and simplifying the procedures for radio frequency allocations.

Furthermore, steps have been taken to streamline Right of Way (RoW) permissions and speed up clearances for telecom infrastructure. This includes the introduction of the PM GatiShakti Sanchar portal and provisions for time-bound permissions for utilizing street furniture to install small cells and telegraph lines.

These initiatives have shown promising results, with approximately 170 million wireless data subscribers adopting 5G services within 19 months of its launch on October 1, 2022.

The advancements in both the Smart Cities Mission and 5G rollout are anticipated to significantly contribute to the country?s on-going digital transformation and urban development efforts.

Infrastructure Transport

19 Dec 2025

Tripura Rail Survey Approved For Jirania–Bodhjung Link

The Ministry of Railways has approved a Final Location Survey (FLS) for a proposed new railway line between Jirania and Bodhjung Nagar in Tripura. The planned section will span 14 km and is estimated to cost around Rs 4.2 million, with the entire alignment located within West Tripura district. The approval marks a key step towards strengthening railway infrastructure and supporting industrial growth in the state. Bodhjung Nagar is Tripura’s principal industrial and commercial hub, developed mainly for resource-based industries such as rubber, bamboo and food processing. The proposed Jirania..

MCF Raebareli Rolls Out Its 15,000th Passenger Coach

The Modern Coach Factory (MCF) in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, has reached a major production milestone with the manufacture of its 15,000th passenger coach on December 15, the Ministry of Railways said. During the current financial year 2025–26, the unit has produced a total of 1,310 coaches so far. Established in 2007 at Lalganj in Raebareli, MCF is among India’s most advanced passenger coach manufacturing facilities. Built at a cost of around Rs 31.92 billion, the factory has an installed annual capacity of 1,000 coaches and is located about 3 km from Lalganj on the Kanpur–Raebareli Roa..

RVNL Wins Gandak River Rail Bridge Contract

Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has received a Letter of Award from North Eastern Railway for a major railway infrastructure project valued at Rs 1.65 billion. The contract relates to the construction of the substructure for a key railway bridge over the Gandak River. The bridge will be constructed between Paniyahwa and Valmikinagar stations as part of the doubling of the Gorakhpur Cantt–Valmikinagar railway section. Designed to enhance capacity and operational efficiency, the structure will comprise 14 spans of 61 metres each and will be supported by double D-type well foundations. The des..