{"id":152742,"date":"2025-01-24T19:44:31","date_gmt":"2025-01-24T14:14:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=current-affairs&#038;p=152742"},"modified":"2025-01-24T19:44:31","modified_gmt":"2025-01-24T14:14:31","slug":"status-of-the-smart-cities-mission","status":"publish","type":"current-affairs","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/status-of-the-smart-cities-mission","title":{"rendered":"Status of the Smart Cities Mission"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recently issues were raised against the implementation of Smart City Mission in Shimla as it\u00a0 bypassed local governments, relying on <\/span><b>Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> managed as private entities,<\/span><b> sidelining city councils in governance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>decision-making.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>About Smart City Mission<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A smart city is an<\/span><b> intelligent city that integrates digital technologies into its networks,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> services and infrastructure making it more efficient and livable for the benefit of its inhabitants and business.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the<\/span><b> European Commission, smart city means:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smart urban transportation networks<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upgraded water supply and waste disposal facilities<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More efficient ways to light and heat buildings<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More interactive and responsive city administration<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Safer public spaces<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Course<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>About Smart City Mission (SCM)<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Launch:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The SCM was launched in June 2015 by the Government of India to develop 100 smart cities as models of urban development.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Aim:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> To improve quality of life, promote sustainable development, and integrate technology for efficient urban governance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Nodal Ministry:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The <\/span><b>Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Objective: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The smart cities initiative was based on the<\/span><b> Internet of Things (IoT) with objectives to:\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enhance core infrastructure and ensure a clean, sustainable urban environment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Promote the use of smart solutions for governance and service delivery.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improve mobility, water supply, sewage systems, and waste management.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Components:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Area-Based Development (ABD):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Focuses on retrofitting, redevelopment, and greenfield projects in specific city zones.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"vc_table_green\"><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 99.7992%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"width: 100%; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: rgba(184, 165, 217, 0.53); text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;\">\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt; color: #000000;\"><b>Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) is a separate legal entity created by an organization.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">The SPV is a distinct company with its own assets and liabilities, as well as its own legal status.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">They are created for a specific objective, often to isolate financial risk. As it is a separate legal entity, if the parent company goes bankrupt, the special purpose vehicle can carry on.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><b>Pan-City Initiatives<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Implements IT-enabled services across cities, such as intelligent traffic management and integrated governance systems.<\/span><b>Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Acts as implementation agencies, registered under the Companies Act, ensuring efficient project execution.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Funding Mechanism:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Total allocation of <\/span><b>\u20b948,000 crore<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the<\/span><b> central government<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, matched by<\/span><b> state governments and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additional funds raised through <\/span><b>Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), municipal bonds, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and<\/span><b> other innovative financing mechanisms.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Extension :<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Initially planned to conclude by 2020, the mission was extended to March 2025.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Current Status: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As of 2024 Out of 8,016 sanctioned projects worth \u20b91.64 lakh crore, <\/span><b>7,218 projects have been completed.<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have been operationalized in all 100 cities, enabling efficient monitoring and governance.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-textbooks?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Textbooks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Impact of SCM<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Digital Transformation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ICCCs have enhanced governance through real-time data analysis for traffic management, disaster response, and urban planning.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Example: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Ahmedabad, sensor-based water monitoring reduced leakages and added 50 million liters per day (MLD) to the supply.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Infrastructure Development:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Development of core infrastructure, such as roads, water supply, sewage systems, and solid waste management, has improved urban living standards.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Example:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Indore\u2019s gravity-based sewage network prevented 205 MLD of untreated sewage from polluting local rivers.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Renewable Energy Integration:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Promotes sustainability through projects like the Mudasarlova Reservoir Floating Solar Plant in Visakhapatnam, which generates 3,613 MWh of electricity annually, reducing carbon emissions by 3,000 tonnes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Economic Growth:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Smart cities also position India as a global investment destination. By creating urban spaces that are competitive, inclusive, and sustainable, they attract both domestic and foreign investors.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By leveraging technology, SCM has positioned cities like Surat as hubs for global trade, boosting industries such as textiles and diamonds.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Alignment with SDGs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:SCM projects contribute significantly to 15 out of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 11 (sustainable cities) and SDG 6 (clean water).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Challenges in Implementation<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Mission Deadline Extension: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Delays in project completion necessitated an extension to June 2024.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Funding Shortfalls<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Many cities failed to raise sufficient funds through PPPs or loans.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Example: <\/span><b>Only 6% of projects were funded through PPPs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> instead of the recommended 21%.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lakshadweep and Daman &#038; Diu received less than 50% of allocated central funds.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Governance Issues<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Frequent transfer of SPV CEOs disrupted project execution.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">State-level advisory forums were irregular, with some cities like Imphal and Amravati holding no meetings.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Absence of Master Plans:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 65% of urban entities lack master plans essential for determining land and infrastructure requirements.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Execution Challenges<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Inadequate citizen engagement and public participation hindered effective implementation.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example<\/span><b> Shimla&#8217;s redevelopment projects <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">saw minimal progress, and funds were misallocated to non-essential items like flower pots.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc\/pw-only-ias?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Way Forward<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Extension of SCM to more Cities :<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Focus on tier-2 cities within 100 km of state capitals, leveraging SPV expertise for urban development.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Expand ICCCs&#8217; Role:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ICCCs should integrate functions like health, disaster management, and waste management to enhance urban resilience.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>\u00a0Strengthen Governance:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Appoint dedicated CEOs with fixed tenures for better accountability. Foster transparency through<\/span><b> regular advisory forum meetings.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Enhance IT Infrastructure and Privacy Safeguards:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Protect digital platforms from cyberattacks and ensure data privacy.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Develop a comprehensive framework for asset maintenance and upgrades.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Promote Sustainable Urban Development:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Align SCM with initiatives like<\/span><b> AMRUT, Swachh Bharat Mission, and National Mission for Sustainable Habitat <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to ensure integrated urban development.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>International Collaboration:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Share SCM\u2019s sustainable development lessons with other countries, such as Bhutan\u2019s Gelephu Smart City Project<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><i>R<\/i><\/b><b><i>eady to boost your UPSC 2025 preparation?<\/i><\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><i>Join PW&#8217;s UPSC online courses<\/i><\/b><\/a><b><i> today!<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<div class=\"vc_table_green\"><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 99.6375%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 111.19%; 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