Lok Sabha Question No. 2002 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-14
Subject: Key Features of a Smart City
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Amar Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2002

## TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 14, 2023

## KEY FEATURES OF A SMART CITY

- NO.   2002. DR. AMAR SINGH:

Will  the  Minister  of  HOUSING  AND  URBAN  AFFAIRS  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) whether the Government subscribes to the view that some of the key features  that  must  form  part  of  a  smart  city  are  assured  electricity supply  including  power  from  solar  energy,  adequate  water  supply including  waste  water  recycling,  sanitation  including  solid  waste management, rain water harvesting, smart metering, robust IT connectivity and digitalisation, pedestrian friendly pathways, encouragement to non-motorised transport, intelligent traffic management and creating walkable localities;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  the  steps  that  are  proposed  to  be  taken  by  the Government keeping in the mind that there is a need for more efficient, convenient and improved infrastructure to deliver a better quality  of life for residents; and
- (c)
- if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE)

(a) to (c) : Government of India launched Smart Cities Mission (SCM) on 25 June  2015.   100  Smart  Cities  have  been  selected  through  4  rounds  of competition from January 2016 to June  2018.  The objective of the Mission is to promote cities that provide core infrastructure and give decent quality of life to their citizens, clean and sustainable environment through application of smart  solutions. Smart  cities  are  supposed  to  act  as lighthouses  which  create  best  practices  that  can  be  replicated  in  other cities.

As on 27 November 2023, work orders have been issued in 7,959 projects worth around  ₹ 1,71,224 crore; of which 6,271 projects worth ₹ 1,16,269 crore have been completed. ₹ 78,749.88 crore has been released; of which ₹ 71,135.70 crore (90%) has been utilized.

Features  expected  to  be  part  of  a  smart  city  include,  inter  alia,    assured electricity supply including power from solar energy, adequate water supply waste management, rain-water harvesting, smart metering, robust IT connectivity motorised transport,  intelligent  traffic  management  and  creating  walkable including waste-water recycling, sanitation including solid and  digitalization,  pedestrian  friendly  pathways,  encouragement  to  nonlocalities etc.

Under the Smart Cities Mission, cities have revamped economic infrastructure  such  as  marketplaces,  skill  development  centres  etc.  Some cities have rejuvenated heritage buildings, museums etc. In order to drive a positive  shift  towards  renewable  energy,  cities  are  implementing  solar electricity generation projects, wind energy projects, smart streetlights and solar-energy based streetlights etc. Smart Cities are making widespread use of  Information  Technology  in  setting  up  Integrated  Command  &  Control Centres (ICCCs), Integrated Traffic Management Systems (ITMS), Surveillance systems (CCTVs) etc.

In  order  to  enhance  walkability  &  increase  the  use  of  non-motorized  and public transport, Smart Cities are implementing Smart Mobility projects. In order  to  promote  inclusive  development,  smart  cities  are  building  social infrastructure such as schools, colleges, wellness centers etc. Smart Cities Open-Air Gymnasiums, parks, riverfront, stadium, gyms etc., to create vibrant public spaces.  Further,  Smart  Cities  are  also  implementing  a  number  of  Smart Water  and  Smart  Wastewater  projects.  The  sector-wise  breakup  of  key are also implementing projects such as development of projects is as under:

## (Amount in ₹ crore)

| Significant Projects under SCM    | Number of Projects   | Project cost   |
|-----------------------------------|----------------------|----------------|
| Economic Infrastructure           | 937                  | 13,803.09      |
| Smart Energy                      | 687                  | 14,618.18      |
| Smart Governance                  | 684                  | 17,568.67      |
| Smart Mobility                    | 1,681                | 41,030.91      |
| Social Infrastructure             | 873                  | 12,686.32      |
| Vibrant Public Spaces             | 1,377                | 12,829.57      |
| Water Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) | 1,525                | 54,520.96      |

(Source: Geo Spatial Management Information System as on 27 November  2023)

The learnings from the Mission are disseminated through various mechanisms. There have been 4 editions of India Smart City Awards (ISACs) wherein best cities, projects and innovations have been recognized. As part of each edition, a compendium of award winning projects is published. The Mission has  published numerous  publications,  newsletters, advisories, documents  focused  on  various  works  that have  happened  under  its umbrella.  These  documents  are  useful  for  all  towns  and  cities  of  the country. The Mission uses platforms like national and regional conferences, seminars  and  webinars  for  peer-to-peer  learning.  Besides  these  activities, various outcome indices like the Ease of Living Index have been formulated under the Mission which act as platforms for cross-learning among cities.

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