Smart Cities Mission: Urban Transformation

TOPIC CLASSIFICATION

Subject: Governance | Topic: Urban Development Sub-topic: Smart Cities Mission (SCM), Area-Based Development, Pan-City Solutions Prelims Focus: Number of cities selected, funding pattern, mission timeline Mains Focus: Assessment of outcomes, role of SPVs, integrated urban planning

EXAMINER REASONING

Smart Cities Mission illustrates India's approach to urbanisation. Prelims covers the number of cities and selection criteria (competition - Smart City Challenge). Mains questions examine whether the mission has delivered on its promise of "smart" urbanisation and the criticism that it is top-down and infrastructure-heavy.

Core Concept

The Smart Cities Mission (SCM) was launched on June 25, 2015 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). It aims to promote cities that provide core infrastructure, a clean and sustainable environment, and a decent quality of life using smart solutions.

Selection Process

• First stage: City-wide competition based on Smart City Proposal (SCP).
• Number of cities: 100 cities selected (originally 100; actual 99 including Shimla).
• Selection rounds: 4 rounds between 2015 and 2017.
• Funding: ₹100 crore per city per year for 5 years (total central outlay ~₹48,000 crore; matched by state/ULB = ~₹1 lakh crore total).

Core Infrastructure Elements

1. Adequate water...