Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Centre over the Smart Cities Mission, alleging that the scheme failed to deliver on its promises and was presented as a “half-baked” vision of urban transformation, reported news agency PTI.
‘Grand Announcements, Zero Accountability’
Gandhi criticised the government’s approach, claiming that the Smart Cities Mission reflected a pattern of making ambitious announcements without ensuring accountability. He said the scheme was heavily promoted as a transformative initiative but fell short in delivering meaningful improvements on the ground, reported PTI.
According to him, the government focused more on publicity rather than measurable outcomes, leaving citizens questioning the real impact of the programme.
Questions Raised Over Definition of ‘Smart City’
The Congress leader said he had raised several questions in Parliament regarding the mission, including how a “Smart City” is defined and what criteria were used to measure success. He also sought clarity on how many cities had actually undergone significant transformation and what tangible benefits citizens received, reported PTI.
However, Gandhi claimed that no clear answers were provided, adding that the lack of transparency raises concerns about the effectiveness of the scheme.
Claims of Ground Reality Contradicting Official Data
Highlighting discrepancies, Gandhi pointed out that while the government reported high completion rates of projects, the situation on the ground tells a different story. He alleged that issues such as contaminated water, unsafe infrastructure, and poor civic conditions continue to persist in several cities, reported PTI.
He argued that if the majority of projects have indeed been completed, citizens should be able to clearly see improvements in their daily lives.
Government Cites High Fund Utilisation and Project Completion
Responding to queries in Parliament, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu stated that a significant portion of allocated funds has been utilised under the mission, reported PTI.
As per official data, out of the Centre’s allocation of Rs 48,000 crore, about 99 per cent has been released to selected cities, with nearly 98 per cent of the funds reportedly utilised. A total of over 8,000 projects were taken up, of which around 97 per cent have been completed.
Area-Based Development Model Defended
The government maintained that the Smart Cities Mission was not intended to transform entire cities but to focus on area-based development through retrofitting, redevelopment, and greenfield projects. The aim, it said, was to create replicable models for broader urban development, reported PTI.
It also cited an evaluation by NITI Aayog, which concluded that the mission aligns with India’s urban development priorities and broader sustainability goals.
Political Debate Intensifies Over Urban Development
Gandhi’s remarks come amid ongoing political debate over the effectiveness of flagship government schemes. He urged citizens to assess the situation in their own cities and question whether the promised transformation has truly materialised.
With the Smart Cities Mission nearing its conclusion, the issue is likely to remain a key point of contention between the government and the opposition in the coming months.
(With inputs from PTI)