The Parliamentary panel for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has recommended an independent third-party evaluation of projects carried out under the Smart Cities Mission. This assessment, according to the panel, is essential for identifying gaps and areas of improvement before launching the next phase of the initiative. In its recommendations, the committee emphasized prioritising Tier 2 cities within 50 to 100 kilometres of major capitals and prominent tourist hubs for the next phase of the Smart Cities Mission. These efforts aim to alleviate congestion in metropolitan areas and simultaneously propel the development of Tier 3 cities, fostering balanced urban growth across regions.

Strengthening urban development and governance

Highlighting the current state of urbanization, the panel observed that many Indian cities remain underdeveloped, necessitating more robust city planning and governance mechanisms. To address these challenges, the committee advocated for structural interventions similar to the Smart Cities Mission. The panel noted that 500 cities are covered under the AMRUT Scheme, while 4041 urban local bodies (ULBs) are included under the DAY-NULM program. Based on this, the committee suggested extending the Smart Cities Mission framework to these initiatives post-completion of its current phase. This integration could significantly enhance urban infrastructure and governance across a broader spectrum of Indian cities.

Pathway to the next phase

The report underscored the importance of completing a third-party evaluation to assess the efficacy and impact of projects under the current Smart Cities Mission. Based on the findings, the panel suggested launching the next phase with revised strategies to achieve more inclusive and effective urban development.