Smart Cities, Soaked Streets: Why India’s Urban Makeover Is Drowning in Its Own Hype

Image Source: The Hindu Business Line

India’s Smart Cities Mission, launched in 2015 with the promise of transforming 100 urban centers into tech-enabled, resilient hubs, is now facing a harsh monsoon reality. Despite over ₹1.64 lakh crore in sanctioned projects, cities like Bengaluru, Pune, and Chennai continue to flood with alarming regularity. The disconnect between flashy infrastructure upgrades and basic urban resilience has turned smart cities into sinking streets—raising questions about sustainability, governance, and long-term planning.

Here’s a comprehensive look at what went wrong, what’s working, and what needs urgent attention.

1. The promise vs the puddle
- The Smart Cities Mission aimed to create inclusive, safe, and sustainable urban environments using digital technologies and integrated planning
- Over 8,000 projects were launched, including smart traffic systems, command centers, and upgraded public spaces
- However, many cities still lack robust drainage systems, flood forecasting tools, and climate-resilient infrastructure
- Monsoon flooding in Bengaluru and Pune this year exposed the fragility of these urban ecosystems, with roads submerged and transport paralyzed

2. Infrastructure without upkeep
- Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs) were set up in all 100 smart cities to enable real-time decision-making
- Yet, post-mission, there is no clear mandate or funding mechanism to maintain these assets
- Without routine upkeep, sensors fail, data goes unused, and emergency response systems lag
- The parliamentary standing committee has urged the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to issue guidelines for continued operation of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), but progress remains stalled

3. Climate change and urban flooding
- Erratic monsoons, rising temperatures, and extreme weather events have intensified urban flooding across India
- Unplanned construction blocks natural drainage paths, while poor waste management clogs stormwater systems
- Cities like Mumbai and Chennai have deployed AI-powered flood forecasting systems, but coverage remains limited
- The ‘Sponge Cities’ concept—using green infrastructure to absorb excess rainwater—has been introduced in Bengaluru and Hyderabad, but implementation is patchy

4. Social inequality and slum vulnerability
- According to the Sustainable Development Report 2025, India ranks 99th out of 167 countries on SDG 11, which focuses on sustainable cities
- Only 65 percent of urban households have access to piped water, and slums receive far below the recommended daily supply
- Inadequate housing, insecure tenure, and poor sanitation make slum residents disproportionately vulnerable to flooding and disease
- The Smart Cities Mission has largely bypassed informal settlements, deepening spatial and social inequalities

5. Governance gaps and policy inertia
- Urban development is a state subject, and implementation varies widely across regions
- Many cities lack coordination between municipal bodies, state governments, and central agencies
- Cybersecurity risks, financial sustainability, and citizen participation remain under-addressed in the mission’s framework
- Without a culture of performance tracking and accountability, cities risk rebuilding the same assets every decade

Final takeaway
India’s Smart Cities Mission was never just about technology—it was about transforming urban life. But without climate resilience, inclusive planning, and sustained governance, smart cities risk becoming symbols of misplaced priorities. As monsoons continue to test the limits of urban infrastructure, the need for a second-generation mission—one rooted in maintenance, equity, and environmental foresight—is more urgent than ever.

Sources: Economic Times, NetMock Current Affairs, Sustainable Development Report 2025, IJRTI Smart Cities Review.