Urban Development and the Smart Cities Mission: Where Does India Stand in 2025?

India’s cities are growing fast. Every day, more people move to urban areas looking for jobs, education, healthcare, and better lifestyles. But with that growth comes pressure—on housing, transport, water, and electricity. To solve these problems and make cities work better for people, the Government of India launched the Smart Cities Mission in 2015.

Now, in 2025, ten years later, it is a good time to look at what has been achieved, where we are heading, and how this mission fits into the larger goal of urban development. This article from First Post breaks it down in a clear and simple way.

What Is the Smart Cities Mission?

The Smart Cities Mission is a central government initiative to improve urban living through technology, good planning, and better services. The aim was to select 100 cities across India and help them upgrade their basic infrastructure, reduce pollution, ensure efficient water and power supply, and build smarter public services.

In simple terms, it is about making cities more liveable, safer, and easier to manage using modern tools like data systems, digital services, and environment-friendly solutions.

What Has Been Achieved So Far?

As of early 2025, nearly 93% of the planned projects under the Smart Cities Mission have been completed or are in their final stages. These include over 7,000 projects worth about ₹1.5 lakh crore. Some of the major outcomes include:

• Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs) in all 100 Smart Cities. These centres use real-time data to monitor traffic, waste collection, water supply, and even emergency response.
• Smart lighting and CCTV cameras in public areas for improved safety.
• Projects that promote non-motorised transport like cycle lanes and pedestrian paths.
• Upgraded waste management systems and air quality monitoring stations.
• More green and open spaces in cities like Pune, Surat, and Indore.

According to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, cities like Agra, Varanasi, Coimbatore, Udaipur, and Vadodara have successfully completed all of their smart city projects.

First Post has regularly followed these developments, highlighting how the mission is reshaping urban India.

Why Urban Development Still Needs Attention?

Despite the progress, many challenges remain. Not all cities have moved at the same speed. Only 18 out of the 100 selected cities have completed all their projects. Factors like land acquisition issues, delays in tender processes, and lack of skilled manpower have caused slowdowns in some places.

Also, while some smart city components are highly visible—like LED street lights or smart traffic signals—others like data analytics and energy grids are less noticeable but equally important. Ensuring that all citizens benefit from these changes, especially in lower-income areas, is still a work in progress.

As First Post reported recently, the government has extended the timeline of the mission to March 2025, allowing extra time for the remaining projects to be completed.

New Ideas for the Future

Urban development in India is not stopping with the Smart Cities Mission. There are fresh initiatives coming up that aim to carry the momentum forward:

• Urban Challenge Fund: Announced in Budget 2025, this aims to raise ₹1 lakh crore for urban renewal and development. The idea is to reward cities that show innovation in planning and performance.
• AMRUT 2.0: The second phase of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation focuses on water supply and sanitation in smaller towns.
• Sustainability and Green Goals: Banks like SBI are calling for more investment in eco-friendly urban growth. This includes solar energy, green buildings, and smart public transport.

The success of these future plans depends on coordination between city governments, state authorities, and the Centre. Also, local people must be involved. Without citizen participation, no plan—however smart—can truly succeed.

At First Post, we believe that information and awareness are key to building stronger cities. By understanding these missions and how they affect daily life, citizens can demand better governance and take part in the transformation.

How This Affects You?

If you live in a city selected under the Smart Cities Mission, chances are that you have already experienced some changes. Perhaps there’s better street lighting in your area, faster garbage collection, or smoother traffic signals. In some cities, mobile apps help people report civic issues or access transport details.

But even if your city is not on the Smart Cities list, lessons from the mission are being used across urban India. Many smaller towns are now adopting digital systems and cleaner practices.

Young people, professionals, and even small business owners can benefit from these developments. For example, improved internet connectivity and power supply can help start-ups, e-commerce, and gig workers.

First Post will continue to bring you regular updates on these changes so you can stay informed and make the most of what’s coming.

Conclusion

India’s urban journey is far from over. The Smart Cities Mission has laid a foundation, but long-term success will require commitment, honest leadership, and active citizen support. Cities must grow not only in size but in quality.

Urban development is not just about technology or buildings—it is about people. And when cities are designed with people at the centre, everyone wins.

Stay tuned to First Post for more such informative articles and updates that matter to you and your city.