Uttar Pradesh Approaches Full Smart City Project Implementation
Uttar Pradesh has achieved a remarkable 99% completion rate for projects sanctioned under the central government's Smart City scheme, with state officials now racing against an internal March 15 deadline to make the remaining works operational. According to a comprehensive review conducted by the urban development department, 677 out of the total 682 approved projects have already been commissioned across the state.
Remaining Projects on Fast Track
Senior officials have confirmed that three of the five remaining projects are scheduled for inauguration within the coming week, while the final two projects are expected to become operational by March 14. This accelerated timeline represents a significant push to achieve full implementation before the deadline.
Smart City Mission Background and Selection
The Smart City Mission was originally launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in June 2015 as a transformative urban development initiative. In Uttar Pradesh, ten municipal corporation-governed cities were selected under this ambitious scheme:
- Agra
- Aligarh
- Bareilly
- Jhansi
- Kanpur
- Lucknow
- Moradabad
- Prayagraj
- Saharanpur
- Varanasi
Officials have indicated that once these cities successfully secure their 'smart city' status, the Central government may extend support to upgrade additional urban centers throughout the state.
Initial Challenges and Audit Findings
The implementation journey faced significant hurdles during the initial years, with progress proceeding slower than anticipated. Project milestones experienced substantial delays after large-scale irregularities were detected in the execution of various initiatives during the first three years of the mission.
Experts from the Comptroller and Auditor General conducted a thorough audit review that specifically flagged cases of irregularities in project implementation. These critical findings were released during the 2022-23 financial year to facilitate corrective action and improve oversight mechanisms.
Funding and Deadline Extensions
Despite the implementation challenges, an officer deputed in the directorate of urban local bodies confirmed that all allocated funds were fully utilized according to mandate by March 15. The Central government had granted three deadline extensions at the request of the state government to accommodate the complex implementation process.
Following March 31 of last year—the final deadline assigned to the state—no additional funds were disbursed by the Centre under the Smart City Mission scheme, creating additional pressure for timely completion.
Expansion Through State Initiative
Concurrently, the state government has been actively upgrading the remaining seven municipal corporation cities under the 'UP State Smart City Mission.' This complementary initiative was introduced in 2019-2020 to extend similar urban infrastructure improvements beyond the original ten cities selected under the national scheme.
The parallel state program represents Uttar Pradesh's commitment to comprehensive urban development, ensuring that modernization benefits reach a broader spectrum of urban populations across the state.
