Smart Cities: 13 of 100 Cities have completed all their Projects

02 Dec 2024 CW Team

In a written reply, Sahu reported that more than 84,000 CCTV surveillance cameras have been installed, and 713 km of cycle tracks developed across the 100 smart cities to date. He further stated that 23 additional smart cities have completed over 75% of their projects, while 714 projects worth Rs 173 billion are currently in the implementation stage. As of November 15, 2024, work orders have been issued for 8,066 projects valued at Rs 1,646.69 billion. Of these, 7,352 projects amounting to Rs 1,473.66 billion—91% of the total—have been completed. Under the Smart Cities Mission (SCM), the central government has allocated a total of Rs 480 billion for the 100 cities.

Sahu added that the government had disbursed Rs 472.25 billion to states and Union Territories under the SCM, of which Rs 446.26 billion (94% of the total central share released) had been utilised. On requests from various states and Union Territories, the duration of the SCM, which was launched in June 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been extended to March 31, 2025. The minister cited several reasons for delays in project completion, including legal challenges, delays in obtaining departmental clearances, land acquisition issues, construction in hilly areas, and resource availability constraints in small and medium cities. Highlighting progress under the mission, Sahu noted that over 1,740 km of smart roads have been constructed or upgraded, and 9,433 smart classrooms have been developed across 2,398 government schools. Furthermore, 41 digital libraries with a total seating capacity of 4,809 have been established, alongside 172 e-health centres and clinics without dedicated beds and 152 health ATMs. The water supply system in over 17,026 km is being monitored through the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, effectively reducing non-revenue water in urban areas. Additionally, more than 66 cities have enhanced their solid waste management using technology, improving route efficiency, collection methods, and daily management. Sahu also revealed that 9,194 vehicles have been equipped with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) systems to digitise and streamline solid waste management operations.

Thirteen of the 100 designated smart cities have successfully completed all their projects, while 48 cities have achieved over 90% project completion under the Smart Cities Mission, Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu informed the Lok Sabha. In a written reply, Sahu reported that more than 84,000 CCTV surveillance cameras have been installed, and 713 km of cycle tracks developed across the 100 smart cities to date. He further stated that 23 additional smart cities have completed over 75% of their projects, while 714 projects worth Rs 173 billion are currently in the implementation stage. As of November 15, 2024, work orders have been issued for 8,066 projects valued at Rs 1,646.69 billion. Of these, 7,352 projects amounting to Rs 1,473.66 billion—91% of the total—have been completed. Under the Smart Cities Mission (SCM), the central government has allocated a total of Rs 480 billion for the 100 cities. Sahu added that the government had disbursed Rs 472.25 billion to states and Union Territories under the SCM, of which Rs 446.26 billion (94% of the total central share released) had been utilised. On requests from various states and Union Territories, the duration of the SCM, which was launched in June 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been extended to March 31, 2025. The minister cited several reasons for delays in project completion, including legal challenges, delays in obtaining departmental clearances, land acquisition issues, construction in hilly areas, and resource availability constraints in small and medium cities. Highlighting progress under the mission, Sahu noted that over 1,740 km of smart roads have been constructed or upgraded, and 9,433 smart classrooms have been developed across 2,398 government schools. Furthermore, 41 digital libraries with a total seating capacity of 4,809 have been established, alongside 172 e-health centres and clinics without dedicated beds and 152 health ATMs. The water supply system in over 17,026 km is being monitored through the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, effectively reducing non-revenue water in urban areas. Additionally, more than 66 cities have enhanced their solid waste management using technology, improving route efficiency, collection methods, and daily management. Sahu also revealed that 9,194 vehicles have been equipped with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) systems to digitise and streamline solid waste management operations.

Equipment

12 Dec 2025

Schwing Stetter India Unveils New Innovations at Excon 2025

Schwing Stetter India unveiled more than 20 new machines at Excon 2025, marking one of its most significant showcases and introducing several India-first technologies to the construction equipment sector. The company launched the country’s first 56-metre boom pump designed and manufactured in India, the first fully electric truck mixer, the first CNG mixer variant and the first hybrid boom pump. Executives said the launch portfolio was engineered to support India’s move toward faster, greener and more vertically oriented infrastructure through advanced engineering, clean-energy solutions a..

Infrastructure Energy

12 Dec 2025

SEPC Resolves Hindustan Copper Dispute, Wins Rs 725 Mn Order

Engineering, procurement and construction firm SEPC Ltd has recently settled a dispute with Hindustan Copper Ltd (HCL) and secured a mining infrastructure order valued at Rs 725 million from the state-owned company. SEPC informed the stock exchanges that it has executed a settlement deed with HCL, bringing closure to all inter-se claims and counterclaims arising from arbitration proceedings. As part of the settlement, SEPC will receive Rs 304.5 million as full and final payment, marking the resolution of all pending disputes between the two entities. The company also stated that Hindustan Co..

Infrastructure Energy

12 Dec 2025

20% Ethanol Blending Cuts India’s CO2 Emissions by 73.6 Mn Tonnes

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari recently said that India has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 73.6 million metric tonnes due to the adoption of 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol. He made the statement while replying to supplementary questions during the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha. Describing ethanol as a green fuel, the minister said it plays a key role in reducing pollution while also supporting higher incomes for farmers. He underlined that ethanol blending contributes both to environmental sustainability and rural economic growth. Nitin Gadkari also po..