SMART CITIES MISSION
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Picture Courtesy: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/90-of-projects-under-smart-cities-mission-completed-urban-affairs-ministry/article68605600.ece
Context:
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs announced that 90% of projects under the Smart Cities Mission (SCM) are completed.
About Smart Cities Mission (SCM)
- It was launched in 2015 to transform urban areas into more efficient, sustainable, and livable spaces.
- It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme designed to address the growing urban challenges in India.
- The aim is to enhance the quality of life in 100 selected cities by improving infrastructure, services, and sustainability.
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- As of August 2024, over 90% of the projects have been completed.
- The Mission was recently extended to March 2025, to complete the pending projects.
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- The vision of this mission is to create urban spaces that are technologically advanced, well-managed, and meet the diverse needs of the residents.
- The total Central assistance for the Smart Cities Mission was ₹48,000 crore.
- The Smart Cities Mission focuses on transforming specific areas through:
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- Upgrading existing areas, including slums, to improve living conditions.
- Redevelopment and rebuilding of outdated urban spaces.
- Developing new urban areas to accommodate growing populations.
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- Each Smart city sets up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to streamline project execution.
Objectives of the Mission
- Ensuring a reliable and clean water supply.
- Providing consistent power to all areas.
- Improving waste management and sanitation services.
- Enhancing public transport and traffic management.
- Building affordable homes for the poor.
- Developing robust IT infrastructure.
- Promoting transparency and citizen participation through e-governance.
- Implementing eco-friendly practices.
- Enhancing public safety, particularly for vulnerable groups.
- Improving healthcare and educational facilities.
Challenges
- Indian cities face the issue of outdated infrastructure that may not support advanced technological development.
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- Replacing infrastructure or upgrading it needs significant financial investment.
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- The dependency on digital systems raises concerns about data breaches, cyber-attacks and privacy of the citizens.
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- Collecting and managing large amounts of data can lead to privacy issues if not handled properly.
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- Inequality in the access to Digital technologies will further increase existing inequalities.
- Many Indian cities struggle with limited financial resources for development-related work.
- Current regulations may not meet the needs of smart cities.
Way Forward
- Need to develop a comprehensive smart city strategy that aligns with broader urban planning and sustainable development goals.
- Stakeholders, including government agencies, businesses, and community members, must be involved in the planning process.
- Investment needs to be made in upgrading existing infrastructure to support smart technologies.
- Strong cybersecurity protocols and regular security audits must be developed.
- Training and resources should be provided to improve digital skills among residents.
- Ensure that digital technologies are accessible to all segments of the population, and take steps to address the digital divide.
- Find alternate funding mechanisms; like crowdfunding or green bonds.
- Technologies and services should be designed based on the needs and preferences of residents.
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Source:
PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Discuss the primary objectives of the Smart Cities Mission (SCM) launched in 2015. How does the mission align with the broader goals of urban development in India? |