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.

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