New Delhi, 16 January 2024: Mazars in India, a leading global audit, tax, and advisory services firm, has released a comprehensive report on the progress and impact of India’s Smart Cities Mission, shedding light on the transformative journey towards creating modern, technologically driven urban areas. The report explores the initiatives, achievements, and challenges faced in developing 100 smart cities across the nation and provides a comprehensive strategic roadmap for sustainable urban development.
Key recommendations:
The Mazars in India’s report lays out a SMART umbrella tool that can be used to streamline projects across cities and ensure milestones are reached in a sustained manner. This means, emphasising upon what it means to be SMART, with each project and/or change built upon key fundamental parameters:
- Specific: Undertaking infrastructural development that is specific enough to a city’s unique landscape and cultural factors.
- Measurable: Creating task-specific milestones and performance trackers that measure the true progress of reforms.
- Attainable: Setting detailed and viable objectives in place and gathering all the necessary resources to make sure all desired results are attained.
- Relevant: Carrying out relevant developmental projects that are well-aligned and well-equipped to cater to India’s changing trajectory.
- Timely: Monitoring city-wise progression in a proactive manner and comparing it with the original Smart Cities Mission blueprint, in order to make sure goals are being met in a timely manner.
Opportunities:
The report examines the opportunities arising from the creation of smart cities in India from a People, Development, and Financial angle.
People: Smart road infrastructure, powered by technologies like IoT and AI, is poised to alleviate traffic congestion, saving billions lost to fuel wastage annually. Furthermore, the deployment of air quality sensors strategically addresses health concerns and aids in expeditious troubleshooting.
Development: Smart cities involve holistic development, not just infrastructural but also in terms of policies and frameworks. The report outlines key government initiatives such as the National Urban Digital Mission, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation, and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. These programs are vital in creating sustainable, green, and well-connected urban spaces. Additionally, global interest in India’s smart city development is evident with commitments from countries like France and Italy, injecting substantial funds to support the growth of three Indian cities. These collaborations reflect the international recognition of India’s efforts in creating modern, sustainable urban spaces.
Financial Impact: Smart cities contribute significantly to efficient resource management, resulting in substantial cost savings. The report highlights examples such as smart buildings, automation, and big data utilisation, showcasing how these technologies not only enhance efficiency but also contribute to environmental sustainability.
Mr. Bharat Dhawan, Managing Partner at Mazars in India, discussing their report, said, “The Smart Cities Mission has been instrumental in addressing the challenges posed by rapid urbanization, and we are optimistic about the positive impact it can have on the lives of citizens. Our recommendations focus on sustainable urban transformation, aiming to create resilient, inclusive, and technologically advanced urban spaces. At Mazars, we understand the significance of strategic interventions, and our report serves as a guide for stakeholders, policymakers, and urban planners to drive positive change. We envision Smart Cities in 2024 as hubs of innovation, where technology, governance, and environmental sustainability converge to create a holistic urban-experience.”
