India's drive towards advancement and mitigating the outflow of skilled individuals has materialized as the Smart Cities Mission. Launched in 2015 by the central government, this initiative underscores the notion of smart cities as metropolises that leverage technology to optimize efficiency, promote citizen welfare, and ensure sustainability. With nearly a quarter of the designated 100 cities nearing completion, the endeavor demonstrates cutting-edge attributes such as intelligent waste and traffic management, alongside robust digital infrastructure. This effort not only establishes a prototype for nationwide urban growth but also holds immense significance due to its capacity to invigorate India's economy, furnish citizens with enhanced amenities and prospects, and ultimately bolster global competitiveness.
Presently, India stands as the world's most populous nation. It is often referred to as a "Young Country" due to its significant youthful demographic. Regrettably, a range of issues, including the phenomenon of "brain drain," compel a substantial portion of this youth to seek opportunities in foreign lands, driven by the prospect of superior infrastructure, improved quality of life, advanced technology, and more. In response to this trend, the Government of India is instituting various initiatives to cater to its citizens and accelerate the realization of its longstanding developmental aspirations. A notable manifestation of this endeavor is - The Smart Cities Mission.
What defines a Smart City? Although the precise delineation of a smart city continues to evolve, the concept revolves around the utilization of information and communication technologies (ICT) to significantly elevate service efficiency, foster citizen well-being, promote sustainability, and spur economic advancement. Smart cities are meticulously crafted to enhance the quality of life for residents with a critical focus given the continuously expanding urban populace.
India doesn't adhere to a universal, standardized definition or template for a smart city. Instead, the concept of Smart Cities in India is underpinned by six fundamental principles, which serve as its guiding pillars:
The Smart Cities Mission was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25 June 2015. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs was made responsible for the effective implementing the mission. So far, 100 cities have been selected to be developed as Smart Cities through a two-stage competition. As of 2023, from these 100, 22 cities are on the verge of completion.
The 22 cities in the advanced stages of the mission’s projects are: Bhopal, Indore, Agra, Varanasi, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Coimbatore, Erode, Ranchi, Salem, Surat, Udaipur, Visakhapatnam, Ahmedabad, Kakinada, Pune, Vellore, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Madurai, Amaravati, Tiruchirappalli and Thanjavur.
Post the completion of these cities, India plans to further implement more advancements into not only the major and developing cities but also rural areas to ensure sustainable development for the entire nation. The Smart City Mission is an incredibly significant step for India’s progress into becoming one of the biggest global economies and will help India better stand in the midst of other-developed cities worldwide providing her people with similar facilities along with better opportunities.
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