India’s Smart Cities Mission, AMRUT Transform Urban Infrastructure And Reshape The Country’s Urban Future: Report
New Delhi: India’s decade‑long push to modernise urban infrastructure through the Smart Cities Mission and the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) transformed the country's urban future by shifting policy emphasis from standalone construction to integrated infrastructure, a report has said. The programme also shifted urban policy focus to technology‑enabled governance…
In a decade-long initiative, India's Smart Cities Mission and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) have reshaped the nation's urban landscape. The programs have evolved from standalone construction projects to integrated infrastructure, with a focus on technology-enhanced governance, water security, and improved quality of life, according to a report by Vietnam Times.
Initiated in 2015, the Smart Cities Mission designated 100 cities for development via area-based and city-wide projects. As of May 2025, 7,555 out of 8,067 planned projects had been completed, with a combined investment of roughly $183 billion. An additional 512 projects, valued at approximately $1.45 billion, were in advanced stages by March 31, 2025.
The report underscores the wide scope of urban functions addressed by the program, including smart roads, public spaces, cycle tracks, health facilities, classrooms, water systems, and technology-driven public services.
AMRUT 2.0, a significant reform, has approved 3,528 water-supply projects valued at about $13.3 billion. The government's "Jal Hi AMRIT" initiative under AMRUT 2.0 aims to enhance the quality and sustainable management of treated wastewater, making it suitable for reuse in industries, agriculture, and horticulture, thereby reducing the strain on freshwater resources.
By February 2026, nearly 6,535 million liters per day (MLD) of treated water were already being repurposed across various sectors, with another 1,931 MLD of recycling/reuse capacity approved under AMRUT 2.0.
A notable technological advancement is the establishment of Integrated Command and Control Centres in all 100 Smart Cities, utilizing Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things systems, and data analytics to manage urban operations. These centers facilitate traffic regulation, water supply monitoring, solid waste management, public safety, crowd management, and emergency response.
Written by urgent.news from Free Press Journal's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
