Smart Cities Mission developed during the two tenures of Narendra Modi Government boasts of ‘nurturing’ over 100 smart cities across the country with ultra modern and sophisticated Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCC),  mobility solutions and transportation based on artificial intelligence, installation of CCTV cameras, streetlights, and many more worth whopping `1,43,778 crore.

Notably, Modi’s three flagship programmes — the Smart Cities Mission, the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana — Urban (PMAY-U) that transformed urban infrastructure and improved the quality of life for millions of residents across India, completed nine year on Tuesday.

Some of cities tagged as Smart Cities are Indore, New Delhi, Surat, Ahemdabad, Bhagalpur, Patna, Mumbai, Pakinada, Amaravati, Muzzafarpur, Bihar Sharif, Naya Raipur, Karnal, Shivamogga, Satna, Haldia, Ghaziabad, Aligarh, Saharanpur, Rampur, Bareily among others.

According to the Ministry of Urban Affairs’ data, a total 7,160 projects worth `1,43,778 crore has been completed and another 854 projects worth `20,392 crore are in advanced stages of completion under the Smart Cities Mission (SCM) projects which completed nine year on Tuesday.

The data shows the Centre has released `46,387 crore to 100 cities to develop as smart cities mission and  93 per cent of released funds have been utilised. The data shows 51 cities have successfully developed 200 projects with Public-Private Partnership (PPP) worth around `10,000 crore.

The data shows all 100 smart cities have operationalised ICCC, leveraging Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, and data analytics to enhance city operations such as transport management, water supply, and solid waste management.

Under the public safety and security, over 76,000 CCTV surveillance cameras have been installed across 100 cities, bolstering city-wide crime monitoring efforts. 

More than 50 lakhs solar/LED streetlights have been installed under the project and over 89,000 kms of underground electricity cabling constructed. Besides, 9,754 number of WiFi hotspot locations created.

Under the scheme, 12,300 kms roads have been developed as smart roads and and 2500+ kms of cycle tracks was constructed, alongside the Intelligent Transport Management System (ITMS), to streamlined traffic operations and journey times in smart cities.

Besides, 1,884 emergency call boxes and 3,000 public address systems has been installed to improve traffic enforcement systems and public safety.

Under the projects, more than 6,800 kms of water supply system being monitored through Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), reducing the non-revenue water and leakages.

To improve solid management system, around 4,800 vehicles across 50+ smart cities have been RFID enabled for Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) to improve solid waste management in addition to innovative technologies deployed to improve Route Management, Collection and Daily Management.

“Around 44,054 Dwelling Units constructed, and 6,312 number of rooms built in community housing projects like Rain Basera, Hostel (non-educational), night shelters,” the ministry said.

“Each of the 100 cities has developed a diverse set of projects, many of which are very unique and being implemented for the first time, thus improving the city’s capabilities and experience and achieving larger transformation goals at the city level. Over the past nine years, the mission has emerged as a beacon of urban transformation, enhancing the quality of life across 100 cities through 8,000+ multi-sectoral, innovative projects valued at approximately Rs 1.6 lakh crore,” the ministry said in a statement.

Similarly, under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U) as on date, 114 Lakh have been grounded for construction while more than 84 Lakh houses have already been completed and delivered to beneficiaries. As on date out of committed Central Assistance of Rs 2 lakh crore, Rs 1.64 lakh core has been released.  The magnitude of investment in the Mission has propelled cascading effect on the economy due to its backward and forward linkages. It is estimated that investment under PMAY-U would has created more than 323 Lakh jobs in total, where 100 Lakh are direct and 223 Lakh are indirect. It is estimated that so far, construction activity under the Mission would have consumed approximately 55.7 million MT of cement and 12.6 million MT of Steel, providing a much-needed impetus for the economy.