Smart Cities Mission: More than 90 per cent of projects worth 1.50 lakh crore completed, urban development gaining momentum

New Delhi| The Smart Cities Mission launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 25, 2015, is nearing its completion of 10 years. Under this mission, work is going on on more than 8,000 multi-sectoral projects in 100 cities costing about Rs 1.64 lakh crore. Of the total projects, 7,504, or more than 90 per cent, have already been completed, costing Rs 1.50 lakh crore, SBI said in a report released on significant progress made under the Smart Cities Mission. This shows that rapid progress is being made in urban development across the country.

50 per cent spending on urban mobility and water/sanitation infrastructure
The Mission’s emphasis has been on improving urban mobility and water/sanitation infrastructure. Close to 50 per cent of the total cost has been spent on these two areas, covering more than 3,000 projects. An average of Rs 22 crore has been spent on every project in these two areas.

UP on top in using funds
According to the report, of the Rs 1.64 lakh crore spent on projects under the Smart Cities Mission, about 92 per cent of the funds have been used in 21 major states. Uttar Pradesh tops among fund using states. Tamil Nadu is at second place and Maharashtra is at third place. These three states account for one-third of the total expenditure on projects.

100 crore spent annually on every city
The central government plans to spend Rs 48,000 crore over five years on the Smart Cities Mission to accelerate the pace of urban development. In this, every city will get an average of Rs 100 crore per year.