Tamil Nadu tops in smart city fund utilisation

Tamil Nadu tops the list of states so far as utilisation of funds under the government’s flagship Smart City Mission is concerned. While Tamil Nadu has spent over Rs 3,932 crore out of the Rs 4,333 crore released by the Centre, Uttar Pradesh is at second position with utilisation of Rs 2,699 crore out of the Central share release of Rs 3,142 crore. The Central government launched the Smart Cities Mission (SCM) on 25 June, 2015. Hundred smart cities have been selected through four rounds of competition from January 2016 to June 2018. As per SCM guidelines, the Central government will provide financial support to the extent of Rs 48,000 crore over five years which is on an average Rs 100 crore per city per year. The state government or urban local body will contribute an equal amount on a matching basis. As on 8 July 2022, the Centre has released Rs 30,751.41 crore for 100 smart cities, out of which Rs 27,610.34 crore (90%) has been utilised.