By Amit Singh, Partner, and Debashish Biswas, Partner, Deloitte India
India’s rapid population growth presents significant challenges and opportunities. Urban areas in India account for around 3 per cent of land and contribute around 60 per cent to the GDP (NITI Aayog, Asian Development Bank). This surge in urbanisation will strain infrastructure and service delivery. To address this, the Smart City Mission (SCM), initiated by the Indian government in June 2015, aims to prepare cities for the future and achieve key outcomes such as improved quality of life, better service-delivery and economic prosperity. The mission seeks to provide essential infrastructure, ensure a sustainable environment and offer a good quality of life with the help of smart, intelligent and sustainable solutions. Focusing on sustainable urban growth via digital innovation, it strives to improve governance and the efficacy of city services. The government has allocated approximately Rs 1,640.92 billion (around $19.63 billion) to this initiative for the implementation of over 8,000 projects spread across 100 smart cities and a total of 100 Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs) which function as the nerve centre of these cities and integrate all the digital solutions have been undertaken (Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, National Institute of Urban Affairs).
Unveiling the digital revolution – SCM redefining urban landscapes
SCM is a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing the quality of life in urban areas through technology-driven solutions. Various smart cities have implemented unique solutions to address urban challenges specific to their respective cities. For example, Ahmedabad has utilised its ICCC to monitor real-time data from traffic lights, CCTV cameras and public transport, leading to a significant reduction in traffic congestion and enhanced public safety; Surat’s bike-sharing schemes and smart traffic signals have facilitated better urban mobility and encouraged the use of sustainable transportation modes; Indore is recognised for its effective waste management practices by implementing internet of things (IoT)-enabled waste bins, smart fleet management, mobile apps for citizens and automated sorting and processing; Bhubaneswar’s smart water meters and leak detection systems enable efficient water distribution and reduce water wastage; Jaipur’s smart street lighting project uses LED lights with motion sensors to optimise energy consumption, leading to significant energy savings and improved public lighting; Pune’s digital governance initiatives, including mobile apps and e-governance portals, provide residents with easy access to municipal services, utility bill payments and grievance redressal, enhancing transparency and service delivery; Nava Raipur’s ICCC integrates automation of utility services such as water, streetlight, electricity, building services along with intelligent traffic management systems and city surveillance mechanisms, providing various benefits to citizens as well as city administrators; Agartala has upgraded its stormwater drainage systems with sensors and IoT-based devices that monitor water levels and flow rates in real-time to alert city authorities about potential blockages or overflows, allowing for timely maintenance and prevention of urban flooding; and Gwalior’s smart classroom monitoring system is significantly enhancing educational outcomes by leveraging advanced digital technologies to create an interactive and efficient learning environment.
The smart city initiatives in Bhopal have attracted investments in the technology sector, leading to the creation of job opportunities and fostering a start-up ecosystem that drives economic growth. Bengaluru’s emphasis on digital infrastructure has supported the growth of its IT industry, generating employment and positioning Bengaluru as a hub for innovation and technology. These achievements highlight the diverse and impactful digital solutions implemented under the SCM, addressing various urban challenges and improving the quality of life for residents across India.
Scope of adoption in other cities
Smart cities can also serve as models for neighbouring cities, demonstrating effective governance, sustainable practices and technological advancements. The benefits of smart cities can extend beyond their immediate boundaries to satellite towns and neighbouring cities by installing additional last-mile elements such as cameras and connecting them to the central ICCC infrastructure. The services of an ICCC can be extended to Tier II and III cities. The successful adoption of digital infrastructure by adjacent or satellite cities requires collaborative regional planning, interoperability of systems, infrastructure investments, citizen engagement and involvement of public-private partnerships (PPPs). By sharing knowledge, collaboration and adopting similar approaches, surrounding cities can access the benefits of smart infrastructure and contribute to a more interconnected and resilient urban ecosystem. For example, by leveraging wireless sensor networks, smart cities can effectively extend their digital infrastructure to neighbouring towns, creating a unified and efficient regional network that offers scalability and flexibility, improves data collection and analysis and enhances service delivery, while ensuring cost-effectiveness, interoperability and adaptability. Looking at the positive experiences of SCM, the government has also launched the National Urban Digital Mission (NUDM), a significant initiative that aids the government in advancing its smart city missions and overall digital transformation efforts. By advocating for the use of data analytics and digital tools, the NUDM improves decision-making processes within urban governance. To support this, the government has allocated Rs 14.5 billion for financial year 2024-25.
Emerging digital advancements in this space
The distinction between smart city solutions and e-governance solutions serving municipalities is blurring. E-governance solutions are proposed to be hosted within the ICCC infrastructure to achieve cost efficiencies and optimise IT infrastructure utilisation.
India’s SCM aims to capitalise on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI)/ machine learning (ML), IoT, drones, blockchain, 5G, augmented reality (AR)/virtual reality (VR) and edge computing to boost urban resilience, efficiency and inclusivity. These technologies are expected to revolutionise various aspects of city life. Further, advanced AI techniques, including fuzzy logic, evolutionary algorithms, neural networks and reinforcement learning, are being developed to predict traffic patterns and optimise traffic control. AR/VR offer innovative approaches to urban planning, tourism, education and public health.
The advent of 5G technology promises to transform wireless communication networks, supporting smart city applications such as real-time traffic management systems that can reduce congestion and improve safety, as well as smart healthcare solutions that enable remote diagnostics and monitoring, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency and quality of life in future Indian smart cities.
Blockchain technology has the potential to establish a more secure and transparent urban environment, fostering trust in public services and citizen participation. It finds applications in areas such as the management of land and property records, supply chains, public services and governance, smart contracts, energy and identity management. For example, Pune and New Town Kolkata have started blockchain implementation for issuing and maintaining land records.
Edge computing processes data close to its source, improving the responsiveness of smart city systems. It is crucial for real-time applications in various sectors, including traffic management, public safety and healthcare. For instance, in traffic management, edge computing enables immediate processing of data from traffic cameras and sensors to optimise signal timings and reduce congestion. In public safety, it allows for rapid analysis of video feeds from surveillance cameras to detect and respond to incidents more quickly.
As a next step, smart cities are planning to implement digital twins. Digital twins in the context of smart cities refer to virtual models that represent physical urban systems. They are also used for planning, managing and optimising city functions, leveraging real-time data from various sources like sensors, drones and IoT devices. This technology is becoming increasingly important as cities aim to become smarter and more responsive to the needs of their citizens. They are a key component in the shift towards more integrated, data-driven urban environments. These advancements are paving the way for smarter, more connected cities in India, fostering innovation and improving the lives of citizens.
Moreover, the current scenario or urban ecology requires a shift from reactive to predictive approaches. Initially, smart cities relied on reactive responses to events and data, such as adjusting signals based on real-time traffic data to manage traffic congestion. However, with technological advancements such as AI, ML and data analytics, smart cities can transition to predictive strategies. Now, instead of reacting solely to current situations, smart city systems can use historical data and algorithms to forecast future trends and issues.
Future of SCM in India
The digital evolution of cities involves the concept of “cognitive cities” built upon the foundation laid by smart cities, incorporating advanced and emerging technologies to make urban environments more intelligent and proactive. Cities evolving from smart to cognitive is not just about technology; it involves shifting from reactive to proactive strategies, from predictive to perceptive analysis, and, crucially, fostering socio-economic growth equitably. Guided by clear frameworks, cognitive urban transformation integrates AI, data and advanced infrastructure, revolutionising various sectors and promoting sustainable growth. The successful transition from smart cities to cognitive cities requires not only cutting-edge digital solutions but also robust policies and regulatory frameworks to ensure that these technologies are implemented ethically, securely and inclusively. By leveraging existing government frameworks such as the Data Maturity Assessment Framework and ICCC Maturity Assessment Framework, as well as fostering PPPs through frameworks such as the India Urban Data Exchange, and initiatives like the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs’ City Innovation Exchange, cities can accelerate their transformation into cognitive cities. These strategies not only enhance urban management and service delivery but also promote innovation, sustainability and citizen engagement.
Building on ICCCs, many cities, like Kochi, are implementing urban observatories for formulating data-driven policies, developing new use cases, leveraging data for better service delivery and asset utilisation, and improving the quality of life. Using the existing organisational structure of special purpose vehicles (SPVs), city administrators can significantly enhance and scale up various ongoing urban missions and schemes such as the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation and Swachh Bharat Mission. SPVs provide a focused and efficient mechanism for project implementation, enabling cities to achieve their development goals more effectively and sustainably. The dynamic synergy between technology and urban development is propelling cities towards a more efficient, sustainable and connected future. Each city’s unique challenges present an exciting canvas for the experimentation and implementation of smart solutions. The journey towards smarter cities is an ongoing evolution with no definitive endpoint but rather a continuous pursuit of improvement and advancement. Embracing change and digital technologies are pivotal steps towards creating vibrant, resilient and inclusive urban spaces for all inhabitants to thrive.
