Madhya Pradesh’s Indore city is set to host the India Smart Cities Conclave 2023 this week. Organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the conclave will witness participation of all 100 smart cities that are leading a paradigm shift in the practice of city development by being at the forefront of urban innovation. The event will provide a platform for the cities to showcase their exemplary work done under the mission to help crystallize the roadmap for future urban transformation in the country, a government press statement said.

Industry partners, academia and civil society organisations associated with the Smart Cities Mission will also be participating at the two day event.

President Droupadi Murmu will felicitate the winners of the fourth edition of the India Smart Cities Award Contest (ISAC) 2022 on September 27.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 100 Smart Cities Mission in India on June 25, 2015. Smart Cities Mission is an urban renewal and retrofitting programme aimed at developing ultra modern smart cities and making them citizen friendly and sustainable with the thrust on water and electricity supply, efficient waste management, affordable housing, IT connectivity and digitisation among other things.

As per MoHUA, work orders have been issued by 100 Smart Cities in 7,978 projects, of which 5,909 projects (74 per cent) have been completed. While the government released Rs 73,454 crore for the development of these 100 Smart Cities, an amount of Rs 66,023 crore (90 per cent) has been utilised, data presented by the ministry revealed.

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