Third-Party Review of Smart Cities Mission
Context:
A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs has urged the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to conduct a third-party assessment of the Smart Cities Mission projects. This is essential to identify and address gaps before advancing to the next phase of the mission.
Concerns About Progress in Smaller Cities
- Big-Small Cities Divide: The panel highlighted a disparity in the performance of projects, noting that while larger cities benefit from robust organisational and financial structures, smaller cities—especially in the northeastern states—lag behind.
- These smaller cities face challenges due to limited administrative capacity and inadequate financial resources, which hinder their ability to plan and execute the expensive projects envisioned under the mission.
- Third-Party Review: The committee reiterated its earlier recommendation for a third-party review and expressed disappointment over the ministry’s lack of response.
Current Progress of the Mission
- As per data provided by MoHUA to the committee, all 8,010 projects under the Smart Cities Mission, valued at approximately ₹1.64 trillion, have had work orders issued as of June 15.
- Of these, 7,151 projects worth ₹1.43 trillion have been completed, while the remaining projects are at advanced stages of implementation.
- Despite this progress, the panel stressed the need to address delays in smaller cities by identifying root causes and formulating a plan to strengthen the capacities of urban local bodies.
Smart Cities Mission (SCM)
It is an initiative launched by the Government of India on June 25, 2015, aimed at developing 100 cities across the country to enhance urban infrastructure and improve the quality of life for residents.
Objectives
- Core Infrastructure: To provide essential services such as water supply, sanitation, housing, and transportation.
- Sustainable Environment: To promote environmentally friendly practices and sustainable urban development.
- Smart Solutions: To utilise technology and innovative solutions for efficient urban management.
Implementation Approaches
- Area-Based Development (ABD): Each city selects specific areas for focused development, creating models that can be replicated in other parts.
- Pan-City Solutions: Implementation of technology-driven solutions across various sectors like waste management, energy management, and urban mobility.
Governance Structure: Establishment of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in each city to oversee project implementation and decision-making.
Ministry’s Efforts and Upcoming Assessments
- In its response, the ministry acknowledged the delays and outlined ongoing initiatives to evaluate the mission’s impact.
- These include 50 theme-based impact assessment research studies conducted by 29 nationally reputed institutes, which aim to analyse the outcomes of projects in 100 smart cities.
- These studies are nearing completion and are expected to offer actionable insights for enhancing the capabilities of smaller cities.
Strengthening Capabilities for Future Phases
The panel underscored the importance of preparing smaller cities for the next phase of the Smart Cities Mission by strengthening their organisational and financial structures. A thorough assessment, coupled with targeted capacity-building measures, will be critical to ensuring that the mission’s benefits reach all regions equitably.
