Smart Cities Mission is not only about the implementation of projects. The Mission aims to build capacity of cities to think strategically about Urban Development, says Kunal Kumar, Joint Secretary (Mission Director Smart Cities), Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, Government of India, in conversation with Ritika Srivastava of Elets News Network (ENN).
The Government of India has embarked upon the ambitious ‘Smart Cities Mission’ to transform India’s urban landscape. Please share the progress of this programme?
All 100 cities covered under the Mission have constituted their SPVs, appointed PMCs, and established their city level advisory forums. As part of their SCPs, 100 cities have proposed 5,151 projects worth Rs. 2,05,018 crores.
The pace of implementation of the Mission has increased significantly and is one of the fastest in terms of progress. From projects worth 33,970 crores tendered, and those worth 19,041 crores under implementation/completed in January 2018 the corresponding figures have increased by 288 percent and 355 percent as on March 2019. But Smart Cities Mission is not only about the implementation of these projects. The Mission aims to build capacity of cities to think strategically about Urban Development. It is setting a template for future development, establishing new institutions, concepts and developing institutional and professional capacity to make Indian cities cater to citizens needs in the best possible way.
How technology and innovations are playing an important role in providing services to the citizens under the Smart Cities Mission?
Smart cities are envisioned as cities that focus on improving the quality of lives of their citizens, thereby creating a robust environment for sustained economic growth and innovation. The cities have initiated projects to confront the major issues faced by the citizens and are at varying levels of progress.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Zero Emission Mobility Is The Way Forward
The road ahead for improving the present scenario of the transport sector is to make way for electric vehicles and ensure zero emission, says Abhay Damle, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, as he puts spotlight on the challenges faced in introducing green mobility solutions and measures taken by the government to mitigate those, in an interview with Souvik Goswami and K C Mishra of Elets New Network (ENN).
Using Innovation, How Pilibhit DM Ensured Record Voting In LS Poll
A record 67.2 percent voting was achieved in Pilibhit in Phase-III of the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections, making it the top district in Uttar Pradesh to have registered maximum voter turnout.
Mizoram Beckons Investors Via Business Summit
The North East is the fastest growing part of India today, with the Government of India laying special emphasis and having a focussed approach of putting this part of India in the spotlight of growth and development.
Bringing Social Change Through NEDP
Though NEDP has been implemented by the State only recently and its activities are still confined to a few selected fields, its achievement in the social sector is encouraging. There still exist a great scope for expansion in terms of coverage and extent.
‘OUR MAIN FOCUS IS TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF EDUCATION'
Starting from June 2019, a massive campaign will be launched to increase class attendance in schools, as in each class quality of education depends on the knowledge from the previous class. This will be a non-financial intervention that would be taken up by involving parents, NGOs, media, self-help groups (SHGs), says Dr B Janardhan Reddy, Secretary, School and Higher Education Department, Government of Telangana, in an interview with Sudheer Goutham B of Elets News Network (ENN).
NEDP Intervention In Agriculture And Allied Sector
Agriculture and Allied Sector has been identified as one of the most important key growth drivers under the National Economic Development Plan (NEDP).
Smart Cities Catalysing Development Across Uttar Pradesh
With the State government led by Yogi Adityanath determined to transform Uttar Pradesh (UP), Smart Cities Mission is emerging as a ray of hope to realise this dream. As intensive use of smart solutions to develop smarter and sustainable cities in the country is gaining pace, UP is marching ahead in sinc with the time, observe Arpit Gupta and Ahmad Shariq Khan of Elets News Network (ENN).
The City Of Culture On Course To Becoming Truly 'Smart'
Thanks to a number of path-breaking initiatives under implementation, the historic City of Lucknow is marching ahead to soon become a truly ‘Smart’ city, says Anil Garg, Divisional Commissioner, Lucknow and Chairman, Lucknow Smart City Limited, in conversation with Arpit Gupta of Elets News Network (ENN).
El Salvador Looking At India To Partner For Growth
Pharmaceuticals is among the top exports from India to El Salvador, where local population has almost similar disease profile as Indians and has made a huge impact in making healthcare more affordable in his country, says Ariel Andrade Galindo, El Salvador’s Ambassador to India, in conversation with Vivek Ratnakar of Elets News Network (ENN).
Documenting India's Digital Evolution
With the governance in India steadily acquiring an improved version of administration and service delivery, the change in the system has been expedited by the power of digitisation.
