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Smart City Mission Success: 96% of Projects Worth ₹1.55 Lakh Crore Completed

The Smart City Mission has nearly reached its finish line, with the vast majority of its projects now complete. The government has reported excellent financial performance, with almost all allocated central funds being claimed and utilised. The mission's focus was on using modern technology to improve city living through better infrastructure and services. Now, the focus shifts to maintaining these new assets and repurposing project vehicles for future urban challenges.

Key Points: Smart City Mission Completes 7,741 Projects Worth Rs 1.55 Lakh Crore

  • 7,741 projects worth ₹1.55 lakh crore are complete, achieving 96% of the mission's total target
  • Only 323 projects worth ₹9,425 crore remain ongoing as of December 1, 2025
  • States have utilised 97% of the claimed central funds, showing high efficiency
  • The mission focused on ICT, IoT, and data-driven systems for urban renewal across 100 cities
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Smart City Mission: 7,741 projects worth Rs 1,55,386 crore completed, 323 projects ongoing

96% of Smart City Mission projects, worth ₹1.55 lakh crore, are complete. The government reports high fund utilisation as the mission enters a new phase.

"The cities have been able to claim Central Financial Assistance of Rs 47,458 crore (99 per cent of the total Central share allocation) - Union Minister Tokhan Sahu"

New Delhi, Dec 8

The Smart City Mission (SCM) has seen 7,741 projects (96 per cent of total projects) amounting to Rs 1,55,386 crore being completed, and the remaining 323 projects amounting to Rs 9,425 crore are currently ongoing (as on December 1, 2025), the Parliament was informed on Monday.

The mission had undertaken 8,064 projects amounting to Rs 1,64,811 crore in 100 cities.

"Under the SCM, the Central government had a total outlay of Rs 48,000 crore for the 100 cities. As reported by states/UTs, as on 01.12.2025, the cities have been able to claim Central Financial Assistance of Rs 47,458 crore (99 per cent of the total Central share allocation)," Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu told the Rajya Sabha in a reply to a question.

The states/UTs are reported to have utilised Rs 46,093 crore (97 per cent of the total Central share claimed), the minister added.

The SCM was aimed at developing 100 cities through an area-based approach -- retrofitting, redevelopment, greenfield projects, pan-city smart solutions and covered sectors like mobility, WASH, governance, energy, and environment, with each project having defined timelines.

Under SCM, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Internet of Things (IoT), and data-driven systems like ICCCs, smart mobility, e-governance, smart water and waste management systems are being used to improve service delivery which promotes urban renewal through better roads, housing, public spaces, sustainability initiatives and citizen-centric infrastructure, resulting in safer, efficient and more liveable cities.

Meanwhile, post the financial closure of SCM on March 31, 2025, there is no budgetary outlay under the Mission, the minister said.

The ministry issued an advisory in June 2025 to all states/UTs, outlining the envisioned future role of SPVs and a roadmap for the continued functioning of Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs).

As per the advisory, all Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) are requested to ensure the timely completion of all ongoing SCM projects and prepare operation and maintenance plans for the assets created. Further, the advisory underscores the repurposing of SPVs to meet emerging urban challenges.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
This is a massive investment. Rs 1.55 lakh crore! While the digital infrastructure is welcome, I hope the 'smart' solutions also address basic civic issues like garbage collection and public toilets, which many of our urban poor still struggle with. The mission must be inclusive.
R
Rohit P
The ICCCs are a game changer! Saw one during a visit to Surat. Real-time traffic management, emergency response coordination... it felt like something from a sci-fi movie. Hope all 100 cities can sustain them without central funds now. A step towards modern India! 🇮🇳
S
Sarah B
As an expat living in Pune, I've noticed the improved public spaces and better street lighting in the smart city areas. It does make a difference to quality of life. However, the benefits seem concentrated in specific zones. Wondering how the pan-city solutions are rolling out?
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Vikram M
Completion is one thing, but utilization is another. The article says 97% of central funds claimed have been used. That's a good sign of efficiency. The challenge will be the O&M phase. Municipal bodies need to be equipped to handle these high-tech assets. Jai Hind!
K
Karthik V
Respectfully, I have to offer some criticism. In Bangalore, the smart city projects feel like islands of development amidst crumbling infrastructure. The focus was too much on showpiece tech and not enough on fixing fundamental issues like drainage and last-mile connectivity. Hope the repurposed SPVs learn from this.

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