Sunday 4 February 2018

Smart cities - pathetic progress

  • Smart Cities Mission is one of the ambitious initiatives of the Narendra-Modi led NDA government in June 2015 that aims to develop 100 cities across India that would also harness the Information Communication Technology (ICT) capabilities. 
  • In the first phase 20 cities were selected in January 2016. 
  • Total outlay for 99 smart cities was pegged at Rs 2.04 lakh crore.
  • Currently, there are more than 2,500 projects worth over Rs 1.35 lakh crore underway under the mega program while 189 projects amounting to close to Rs 2,235 crore have already been completed. i.e.1.09% of expenditure in the past two years.
  • With maximum increase in allocation to the Smart Cities Mission, the Housing and Urban Affairs (HUA) ministry's budgetary provisions have been pegged at over Rs 41,765 crore for the next fiscal (2018-19), a hike of 2.82% over last year.
  • With 2018-19 budget provision increase of just 2.82%, 99 smart cities completion is 10-15 years away. Even more is no surprise.
  • That's a pathetic strike rate, which doesn't inspire confidence in Modi government's ability to deliver.



Modi's track record of completion of projects is pathetic. Sardar Sarovar Project is a glaring example. It took more than 30 years after starting of project construction out of which BJP was in power in Gujarat for 22 years, Modi was Gujarat CM for 14 years and PM for 4 years. 80% of canals and rehabilitation works are yet to be completed. GIFT city project is another example. Therefore people enjoying full benefits of all smart cities is for next generation only.


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