Need to Reorient Smart Cities Mission to Tackle COVID Challenge

The National Smart City Mission - aimed at upgrading core infrastructure of 100 selected cities through sustainable smart solutions for providing quality life to citizens - is at a critical juncture in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring a relook and a reworking of its strategy to meet newer challenges.
By Vinod Behl
Purpose, Implementation Strategy & Progress of Smart Cities Mission
The Smart Cities Mission (SCM) launched in 2015, was envisaged as a 5-year holistic program, aimed at providing ₹1000 crore to each of the 100 selected cities (borne equally by the Centre and the States) between 2017-22 to rejuvenate their core infrastructure. Each city, by creating a Special Purpose Vehicle, was expected to raise additional funding from the market. The strategy to implement the Mission revolved around area-based development, housing inclusiveness, creating walkable locations, enhancing citizens’ security, preserving and developing open areas, alongside cost-effective citizen-friendly governance.