The Indian government’s Smart Cities Mission (SCM), launched to develop 100 cities with advanced technology and infrastructure, faces scrutiny amid ongoing challenges. While the government highlights Pune as a model for flood management, the city’s struggle with recent floods raises questions about the mission’s effectiveness.
Despite issuing tenders worth ₹1,64,223 crore and completing many projects, citizens demand a third-party assessment to verify the impact. The mission’s slow implementation, particularly in smaller cities and North-Eastern States, is partly due to limited public-private partnership (PPP) involvement and digital infrastructure gaps. Enhanced digital tools and greater private sector engagement are crucial for improving planning and execution.
