Smart Cities Mission extended till March 2025

• The Centre has extended the Smart Cities Mission (SCM) under the Union Urban Development Ministry till March 31, 2025.

Highlights:

• Under the SCM, launched in June 2015, 100 cities were chosen through a competition to be developed as smart cities.
• The mission envisions developing areas within selected cities in the country as model areas based on an area development plan, which is expected to have a rub-off effect on other parts of the city and nearby cities and towns.
• The mission has been getting multiple requests from some States/city government representatives to grant some more time to complete the balance 10% projects.
• These balance ongoing projects are in advanced stage of implementation and got delayed due to various on-ground conditions.
• This extension has been informed to the cities that it would be without any additional cost, beyond the already approved financial allocation under the mission.
• All ongoing projects are now expected to be completed before March 31, 2025.

Prelims Takeaway

• Smart Cities Mission