Guwahati Smart City Struggles: Niti Aayog reveals underperformance

07 Aug 2023 CW Team

Niti Aayog's analysis underscores that Guwahati's lackluster performance is not an isolated occurrence. Numerous other cities in the Northeastern region, including Shillong, Aizawl, and Imphal, have encountered obstacles in achieving substantial advancement in their individual smart city ventures. Furthermore, cities such as Amaravati, Diu, Greater Warangal, Kavaratti, Port Blair, and Puducherry are also grappling with the status of being among the lowest-ranking municipalities.

The report prominently showcases that there are 32 smart cities that have exceeded their initial project completion targets, some even surpassing them by fourfold. Even in the face of adversities posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with political and regional considerations, as well as local land and labour challenges, an astonishing sum of Rs 390.85 billion worth of projects were successfully accomplished nationwide within the past year.

The financial aspect of the Smart Cities Mission also demonstrates positive indicators. Funding allocated by the Central Government experienced an increment from Rs 283.15 billion to Rs 348.87 billion by the culmination of 2022, underscoring renewed dedication to accelerating the growth of smart cities.

Concerning Guwahati, the city acquired a financial grant of Rs 3.96 billion from the Ministry of Urban Development, which remained untapped until the year 2022. The total financial outline for Guwahati's five-year Smart City blueprint was set at Rs 22.56 billion, with the anticipation that the Central Government and the state administration would each contribute Rs 5 billion. The remaining portion was anticipated to be generated via various avenues by urban local bodies, encompassing user charges, beneficiary fees, land monetisation, debts, and loans.

Guwahati was handpicked as one of the pioneer entries among the initial 20 smart cities within the nation. This decision formed a crucial segment of the ambitious Smart City program, inaugurated by the government to enhance living conditions across 100 towns and cities throughout the country. However, recent assessments by Niti Aayog reveal a disheartening reality – Guwahati has emerged as one of the most underperforming smart cities within the nation. A mere nine projects, valued at a cumulative sum of Rs 22.56 billion, have reached completion out of a total of 185 projects.Niti Aayog's analysis underscores that Guwahati's lackluster performance is not an isolated occurrence. Numerous other cities in the Northeastern region, including Shillong, Aizawl, and Imphal, have encountered obstacles in achieving substantial advancement in their individual smart city ventures. Furthermore, cities such as Amaravati, Diu, Greater Warangal, Kavaratti, Port Blair, and Puducherry are also grappling with the status of being among the lowest-ranking municipalities.The report prominently showcases that there are 32 smart cities that have exceeded their initial project completion targets, some even surpassing them by fourfold. Even in the face of adversities posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with political and regional considerations, as well as local land and labour challenges, an astonishing sum of Rs 390.85 billion worth of projects were successfully accomplished nationwide within the past year.The financial aspect of the Smart Cities Mission also demonstrates positive indicators. Funding allocated by the Central Government experienced an increment from Rs 283.15 billion to Rs 348.87 billion by the culmination of 2022, underscoring renewed dedication to accelerating the growth of smart cities.Concerning Guwahati, the city acquired a financial grant of Rs 3.96 billion from the Ministry of Urban Development, which remained untapped until the year 2022. The total financial outline for Guwahati's five-year Smart City blueprint was set at Rs 22.56 billion, with the anticipation that the Central Government and the state administration would each contribute Rs 5 billion. The remaining portion was anticipated to be generated via various avenues by urban local bodies, encompassing user charges, beneficiary fees, land monetisation, debts, and loans.