Centre Launches Scheme to Develop 8 New Smart Cities.

8 New Smart Cities Project : MoHUA Allocates ₹8,000 Crore for Urban Transformation Across India

8 New Smart Cities Project : The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has unveiled a new initiative to expand the Smart Cities Mission, allocating ₹8,000 crore to develop eight new smart cities. This ambitious scheme aims to address the growing pressures of urbanization while fostering sustainable urban development across the nation.


Key Highlights of the 8 New Smart Cities Project Scheme

  1. Extension of the Smart Cities Mission
    • Building on the success of the existing mission, this scheme introduces a performance-based challenge fund to create eight new urban hubs.
    • Each state is permitted to nominate one city for funding under this initiative.
  2. Budget Allocation and Focus Areas
    • ₹8,000 crore has been earmarked for the project.
    • The focus will be on smart urban infrastructure, sustainability, and technological integration.
  3. State Participation and Proposals
    • A total of 28 proposals from 23 states have been submitted for consideration.
    • Proposed cities include Kopparthay (Andhra Pradesh), Gumin Nagar (Arunachal Pradesh), New MOPA Ayush City (Goa), Aerocity (Kerala), and Thirumazhisai (Tamil Nadu).

Selection Process and Guidelines

An Expert Committee was formed to design bid parameters and eligibility conditions for the selection process. This ensures:

  • Transparency in city selection.
  • Emphasis on urban innovation and readiness for smart solutions.

The absence of proposals from some regions, such as the North-Eastern states, highlights areas requiring more advocacy for balanced development.


Progress and Achievements of the Smart Cities Mission

The ongoing Smart Cities Mission has already made a transformative impact:

  • Project Development: Over 8,000 multi-sectoral projects worth ₹1.65 lakh crore have been initiated.
  • Completion Status: 91% of projects are completed or in progress, including 7,300 projects worth ₹1.47 lakh crore.
  • Technological Advancements: Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCC) are operational in all 100 smart cities, supporting real-time urban management.
  • Safety and Connectivity:
    • Over 83,000 CCTV cameras installed for crime monitoring.
    • 9,400 Wi-Fi hotspots established for public connectivity.

FAQ: MoHUA’s New Cities Scheme

1. What is the purpose of the new smart cities scheme?
The scheme aims to address urbanization pressures and build sustainable urban hubs by creating eight new smart cities through a performance-based funding model.

2. How much budget has been allocated for the scheme?
₹8,000 crore has been allocated to incubate these cities under a challenge fund model.

3. Which cities have been proposed for development?
Proposed cities include Kopparthay (Andhra Pradesh), Gumin Nagar (Arunachal Pradesh), New MOPA Ayush City (Goa), Aerocity (Kerala), and Thirumazhisai (Tamil Nadu).

4. What has been achieved under the existing Smart Cities Mission?
The ongoing mission has funded 100 cities, achieving a 91% completion rate for projects focused on infrastructure, technology, and sustainability.

5. What role does the Expert Committee play in the selection process?
The committee establishes eligibility criteria and bid parameters, ensuring a transparent and competitive selection process.

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