Question : Smart City Projects

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the present status of the smart city projects in the country;
(b) whether after three years of its launch, reports have revealed that the Smart Cities Mission is progressing at a slow pace and if so, the facts thereof along with the reasons therefor;

(c) whether it is a fact that many projects are still in the preparatory phase of implementation and if so, the response of the Government thereon;

(d) whether like many of the Government’s flagship programmes, the Smart Cities programme used only 1.8 per cent of the funds released so far and if so, the facts in this regard and the reaction of the Government thereto; and

(e) whether there is lack of gender equality and non-discriminatory approach in the Smart Cities Mission and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

(SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

(a) to (c): A total of 100 cities have been selected for development as Smart Cities. These cities have proposed a total of 5151 projects at an estimated cost of Rs. 2,05,018 crores in their Smart City Proposals. As reported by Cities, 379 projects worth Rs. 7,039.61 crores have been completed and 732 projects worth Rs. 28,137.34 crores are under implementation. Further, tendering has started for 436 projects with a cost of Rs. 20,542.01 crores. The remaining projects are at the Detailed Project Report (DPR) stage.

The progress of implementation depends on the Round of selection. The 100 cities have been selected over a period of three years starting from the first Round in January 2016 and ending with the fourth round in June 2018. After selection of a city, activities like incorporation of Special Purpose Vehicle
(SPV), appointment of Project Management Consultants (PMCs), preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), preparation of Request for Proposals (RFPs) have to be completed before the projects can be grounded. These activities take around 15-18 months from the date of selection of a Smart city.

The Ministry is regularly interacting with the States/Smart Cities through Video Conferences, review meetings, field visits, Workshops etc. at various levels to assess the performance of the cities and to handhold them for improving the same. At the national level, the implementation of Smart Cities Mission is being monitored by an Apex Committee headed by Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. At State level, State level High Powered Steering Committee (HPSC) chaired by the Chief Secretary has been established. A Smart City Advisory Forum at the city level comprising of District Collector, MP,MLA, Mayor, CEO of SPV, local youths, technical experts etc. advises and enable collaboration among various stakeholders as per Smart city guidelines. Besides, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs nominee Directors on the Boards of SPVs are also monitoring the progress in respective cities on a regular basis.

(d): Since the launch of the Smart Cities Mission on June 2015, a total of Rs. 11340.20 crores have been released by the Government of India to States/UTs for development of Smart Cities.

As reported by cities, 379 projects worth Rs. 7039.61 crores have been completed and work has started for 732 projects worth Rs. 28,137.34 crores, which are at different stages of implementation.

(e): No, Madam.
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