| Work Detail |
Thirteen out of 100 smart cities in India have successfully completed all their projects, while 48 cities have achieved over 90% completion under the Smart Cities Mission (SCM), Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu informed the Lok Sabha on Thursday. In response to a question, Sahu outlined the progress of the ambitious urban development initiative, revealing that more than 84,000 CCTV surveillance cameras and 713 kilometers of cycle tracks have been installed across these cities.
Additionally, 23 cities have completed more than 75% of their designated projects, with 714 ongoing projects valued at Rs 17,303 crore. As of November 15, 2024, work orders had been issued for 8,066 projects worth Rs 1,64,669 crore, of which 7,352 projects (91% of total projects) have been completed.
The Smart Cities Mission, which began in June 2015 with a total central outlay of Rs 48,000 crore, has seen the government release Rs 47,225 crore to states and union territories, of which Rs 44,626 crore (94%) has been utilized. The missions timeline has been extended to March 31, 2025, to accommodate delays due to various factors, including legal issues, clearance delays, land acquisition challenges, and the complexities of construction in hilly areas.
Sahu highlighted some of the key achievements under the SCM, including the construction and improvement of over 1,740 kilometers of smart roads, the development of more than 9,433 smart classrooms across 2,398 government schools, and the establishment of 41 digital libraries. Additionally, 172 e-health centers and 152 health ATMs have been set up, contributing to the healthcare infrastructure.
To enhance water supply systems, over 17,026 kilometers of water networks are now monitored through the SCADA system, which has helped reduce non-revenue water. The use of technology has also improved solid waste management in over 66 cities, boosting efficiency and route management.
The Smart Cities Mission continues to drive modernization in urban infrastructure, with an emphasis on sustainability, technology, and improving the quality of life for citizens. |
