Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India (GoI) launched Smart Cities Mission in June 2015. Under the program, the GoI and states have identified 100 smart cities, to be developed by 2024 to address challenges associated with India’s rapid population growth and massive urbanisation in coming years.

These cities will be developed with an aim to promote inclusive cities with a sustainable approach to promote a better quality of life to its citizens in a sustainable environment through the application of smart information and communication technology (ICT) solutions, wherever necessary. The infrastructural elements under Smart Cities are as follows:

• Constant quality supply of water and power
• A well-connected, efficient public transport system
• Provide ample opportunities for job and livelihoods for all
• Create state-of-the-art facilities for safety and security, health, education
• Increase energy efficiency in waste, electricity and water by promoting water conservation, recycling of waste

The Mission envisions Smart Solutions in the following areas:

• E-governance and Citizen Services
• Energy, Waste and Water Management
• Water Management
• Tele-medicines and
• Tele-education and Skill Development

E-governance and citizen engagement can help fulfil several of these goals through schemes such as:

• Public information
• Grievances redressal system
• Security and Surveillance
• Crime Monitoring
• Citizen Engagement 

Funding: Total Mission Allocation Rs 48,000 Crore/ Rs 6,450 in Budget 2020

The Smart Cities initiative is an area-specific mission, unlike other missions which are project-specific missions. Therefore, the mission can be complemented by other missions. The smart cities mission recommends that the cities should seek convergence with AMRUT, Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY), Digital India, Skill Development, Housing for All, construction of museums funded by the Culture Department and other programs connected to social infrastructure such as health, education and culture, in the planning itself.