Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, scored a remarkable victory by bagging the prestigious MoHUA India Smart Cities Award Competition (ISAC) for the Best Regional Smart City award. The victory was officially announced through a statement on 25 August. Joining the ranks of excellence, Sikkim’s Namchi city has also been recognized as the recipient of the Best Zonal Smart City award.
The Smart Cities Mission, launched on 25 June 2015, is basically focused on the objective of providing the urban population with essential infrastructure, a sustainable and clean environment and a better quality of life through the strategic application of innovative “smart solutions”.
Described as a transformative mission, it aims to bring about a profound change in the way urban development takes place within the country. The broad scope of the Smart Cities Mission includes a total of 6,041 proposed projects under its purview, which is 76 per cent of the total, with an estimated value of Rs 1,10,635 crore, which have been successfully completed. The remaining 1,894 projects worth Rs 60,095 crore are expected to be finalized by June 30, 2024, according to an official statement.
A significant achievement under this mission has been the establishment of Integrated Command and Control Centers (ICCCs) in all the 100 smart cities. These centers act as the central hub for city operations, using technology to manage various aspects of urban life. As a result, urban services have seen substantial growth in various sectors including crime monitoring, civil defence, transport management, waste disposal, water supply and disaster preparedness.
Altogether 100 smart cities have undertaken multidimensional projects related to mobility, energy, water, sanitation, waste management, public spaces, social infrastructure and efficient governance. For example, in the area of smart mobility, 1,174 projects worth Rs 24,047 crore have been successfully completed, while an additional 434 projects worth Rs 15,940 crore are currently in progress.
The ISAC initiative is a key component of the Smart Cities Mission, which is overseen by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India. The platform serves as an important opportunity to recognize pioneering city strategies, exceptional projects and innovative ideas, foster a culture of exemplary performance and knowledge exchange among peers. ISAC plays a key role in recognizing and rewarding cities, projects and concepts that contribute to sustainable development within the framework of the 100 Smart Cities. It also strives to develop cities that are inclusive, equitable, safe, healthy and collaborative, thereby improving the overall quality of life for all residents.