India, Russia deliberate on next-gen smart urbanisation
The third edition of the Smart Cities Forum, held at The Oberoi in the national Capital, brought together a distinguished assembly of global policymakers, industry experts, and stakeholders to chart the future of sustainable, technology-driven urban development.
The forum not only highlighted the role of cities as engines of economic growth but also reinforced the strategic urban partnership between India and the Russian Federation.
The session, moderated by Alexey Bondaruk, Head of the Moscow Centre for International Cooperation, featured key speakers including Rajya Sabha MP Ram Chander Jangra, Russian Ambassador to India HE Denis Alipov, and senior officials from both New Delhi and Moscow.
Addressing the gathering, Rajeev Jain, former Director General of the Press Information Bureau and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, delivered a compelling overview of India’s Smart Cities Mission. He emphasised that the initiative has transcended mere infrastructure to build “aspiration and confidence” among citizens.
Providing a snapshot of the mission’s scale, Jain revealed that India has successfully operationalised 100 Smart Cities. “Over 8,000 projects have been sanctioned, with more than 7,500 projects completed — representing nearly 94 per cent implementation,” he stated. He further noted that investments exceeding Rs 1.5 lakh crore have been delivered, with Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs) now functional across all designated cities.
Highlighting specific success stories, Jain cited Indore’s transformation in waste management, Visakhapatnam’s disaster preparedness, and the revitalisation of public spaces in Jammu and Kashmir. He also noted how smart mobility is bridging geographic hurdles in Northeastern cities like Shillong and Aizawl, while Udaipur has successfully integrated heritage conservation with modern planning.
The forum underscored the pivotal role of ICCCs in enabling data-driven governance, particularly their efficacy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Looking ahead, the deliberations focused on scaling these smart solutions city-wide, enhancing climate resilience, and deepening India-Russia collaboration in digital systems and sustainable urban infrastructure.
