Read & Enhance your Knowledge and become Unbeatable
Introduction:
The Smart City Mission is in the news because it is a flagship program of the Government of India aimed at transforming cities into sustainable and citizen-friendly urban centers. Launched in 2015, the mission has been making significant progress, and several important developments have taken place since then. Here are some key points and important launches related to the Smart City Mission:
1. Objectives:
The mission aims to promote sustainable and inclusive development in cities by way of focusing on areas like infrastructure, transportation, governance, strength efficiency, waste management, and first-rate of life for citizens.
2. Selection process:
Initially, 100 cities were selected through a competitive process, and subsequently, 100 more cities were added, taking the total to 200 Smart Cities. The selection was based on a city's proposal to transform itself and its willingness to participate in the mission.
3. Integrated Command and Control Centers (ICCC):
One of the important components of the mission is the establishment of ICCCs in Smart Cities. These centers act as a nerve center for city operations, integrating various functions such as traffic management, emergency response, surveillance, and service delivery. Several cities have successfully launched ICCCs, enabling better governance and monitoring.
4. Area-based development:
Each Smart City has identified an area for comprehensive development known as the Area-Based Development (ABD) area. These areas undergo physical, economic, social, and environmental transformations to become sustainable urban spaces.
5. Smart solutions:
The mission encourages the implementation of innovative and technology-driven solutions in areas like transportation, waste management, energy efficiency, and e-governance. Smart solutions such as intelligent traffic management systems, smart grid systems, and citizen service portals have been implemented in various cities.
6. Public-private partnerships:
The Smart City Mission promotes collaboration between the government, private sector, and residents to achieve its objectives. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) have been installed to attract investments, develop infrastructure, and leverage technology expertise.
7. Key launches:
Under the Smart City Mission, several important initiatives have been launched, such as the Smart Cities Digital Payments Awards to promote digital transactions, the Smart Cities Fellowship Program to engage young professionals in urban planning, and the City Innovation Exchange (CxI) program to foster innovation in Smart Cities.
8. Impact and future plans:
The Smart City Mission has had a significant impact on urban development, improving the quality of life for citizens and attracting investments in infrastructure projects. The government has plans to further expand the mission and aims to transform more cities into Smart Cities in the coming years.
Conclusion:
In summary, the Smart City Mission in India is in the news due to its growth and transformative influence on urban development. The mission focuses on sustainable development, technology-driven solutions, and public-private partnerships to create citizen-friendly and sustainable cities.
Jai Hind !