Smart City Mission faces delays in 7 cities

29 May 2023 CW Team

The ambitious Smart City Mission, which aims to revolutionise cities into technologically advanced urban landscapes, is encountering obstacles as progress in several key cities falls behind schedule.

A senior official stated, "Despite repeated instructions from the chief minister, projects in seven out of the ten selected smart cities have experienced delays, prompting the government to issue a notice to all mission directors involved," as reported by The Pioneer on Wednesday.

The cities struggling with slow progress are Lucknow, Jhansi, Bareilly, Prayagraj, Saharanpur, Aligarh, and Moradabad. These cities were chosen by the Central government to lead the Smart City Mission in the state, with a total of 609 projects worth Rs 9,075.42 crore allocated for their development.

However, as the June 30, 2023 deadline approaches, it has become apparent that the majority of these cities have achieved less than 50 per cent completion of their projects. Saharanpur, among the lagging cities, has experienced the slowest progress, highlighting the need for immediate action.

In contrast, Varanasi, Kanpur, and Agra have made significant strides in their respective projects, meeting expectations and showcasing satisfactory progress.

Real Estate

08 May 2026

Integrated Waterproofing Strategies

Waterproofing buildings used to be an annual pre-monsoon affair but the evolution of real-estate development has changed that approach. In new developments, developers are weaving waterproofing solutions into both the design and construction phases, an approach that Nikhil Madan, Managing Director, Mahima Group, says, “is all about ensuring lasting durability [of the building] and keeping lifecycle risks including water seepage and extensive maintenance to a minimum.”Watertight by designAluminium formwork systems aren’t commonly thought of as a waterproofing tool but at the Mahima Group,..

GROHE Showcases Water-Led Design At Milan

GROHE unveiled its GROHE SPA Aqua Sanctuary at Milan Design Week 2026, transforming Piccolo Teatro Studio Melato into an immersive showcase of water, design and wellbeing. Built on the philosophy of ‘Wellbeing Through Water’, the installation reimagined bathrooms as holistic spaces for relaxation, rejuvenation and self-care.The Aqua Sanctuary was presented through three interconnected sanctums. The first showcased the 3D-printed GROHE SPA AquaTree shower and faucet, highlighting bespoke innovation and biophilic design. The second featured the Atrio Private Collection and GROHE SPA x Buster..

Rahee Group Expands Rail Manufacturing Capacity

Rahee Group has outlined a multi-year investment roadmap to expand its operational footprint and strengthen manufacturing capabilities for India’s growing railway and urban transit sector. The Group is expanding in Odisha with a new Track Component Casting Unit, for which the groundbreaking ceremony was held on 8 April 2026 in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.The Group’s flagship EPC arm, Rahee Infratech Ltd, continues to focus on complex rail infrastructure projects, including track systems, bridges, viaducts and ballastless infrastructure. Its wholly owned subsidi..