Even after authorities have spent crores on the central government’s Smart city mission, problems seem to persist for locals in different cities in Gujarat. Most of the highways connecting cities are in bad condition. Problems related to drinking water, drainage, traffic, etc. are on the rise as well.

Smart city more on paper than on grounds

285 projects out of the proposed 344 have been completed on paper under the Smart city mission in Gujarat. A hefty amount of ₹9,087.17 cr has also been spent on these projects.

A total of 344 projects were undertaken under the Smart city initiative in Gujarat at an estimated cost of ₹12,472.12 cr. These projects include strengthening IT connectivity, e-governance, enhancing digitization, proper solid waste disposal, public transport, increasing urban facilities for health and education, citizen participation in governance, improving environment, child, elderly, and women-related facilities, security-related projects, etc.

But despite this expenditure, problems related to waterlogging, drinking water, drainage, traffic, healthcare, etc. are seeing a relentless run. This has given rise to many speculations about officials being neglectful, and corruption and scams obstructing this mission.

Smart city projects undertaken, but results drowned in rain

Despite the hefty amounts spent in Gujarat after the Smart city mission, a mere three-inch rainfall had clogged up the roads of these cities by three feet.

67 projects under the Smart City mission have been completed till now in Ahmedabad at a cost of ₹2,511 cr. ₹500 cr has been spent in Gandhinagar for 26 projects, ₹993 cr for 42 projects in Rajkot, ₹2,811 cr for 79 projects in Surat, and ₹1,596 cr for 36 projects in Vadodara.

Six projects worth ₹506 cr in Gandhinagar and 29 projects in Rajkot worth ₹1,167 cr have been in the spotlight as being incomplete.

Centre pushes for Smart city in India

Under the Centre's Smart city mission, 5,909 projects (74%) out of 7,978 are accomplished in 100 cities across the country. The central government has released a grant of ₹73,454 cr for these 100 cities until July 2023, out of which ₹66,203 cr has also been spent.

The central government has extended the time limit for the remaining projects until June 2024 so that the pending projects in those cities can be completed.

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