22% rise in enrolment after smart classroom initiative

Context: Introduction of smart classrooms under the Smart Cities Mission (SCM)
has led to a 22% increase in overall enrolment as per data reported by 19
cities between 2015-16 and 2023-24, says a study by the Indian Institute of
Management, Bangalore. According to a study 71 cities have developed 9,433
smart classrooms in 2,398 government schools. The highest number of smart
classroom projects are in Karnataka (80), followed by Rajasthan (53). Tamil
Nadu has 23 and Delhi 12. West Bengal, with just two, is among the States at
the bottom of the table, apart from this, 41 cities have developed digital
libraries with a total of 7,809 seat.

Smart Cities Mission (SCM)

·       About: It is a
Centrally Sponsored Scheme, launched in June 2015 to transform 100 cities to
provide the necessary core infrastructure and clean and sustainable environment
to enable a decent quality of life to their citizens through the application of
"Smart Solutions". It aimed to improve the quality of life for
citizens through sustainable and inclusive development.

·       Smart
City: A Smart City is a concept that refers to the use of technology, data,
and innovative solutions to improve the efficiency, sustainability, and quality
of life in urban areas.

Ø  Core
Infrastructure Elements - Adequate water supply, Assured electricity supply, Sanitation,
including solid waste management, Efficient urban mobility and public
transport, Affordable housing, especially for the poor, etc.

·       Area-based
Development: Redevelopment (City Renewal) - Renewal of existing urban areas to
improve infrastructure and amenities. E.g. Bhendi Bazar, Mumbai.

Retrofitting
(City Improvement) - Upgrading infrastructure in existing areas to make
them more efficient and sustainable. E.g. Local Area Development (Ahmedabad).

Greenfield
Projects (City Extension) - Development of new urban areas with a focus on
sustainability and smart technologies. E.g. New Town, Kolkata, Naya Raipur,
GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City).

·       Pan-City
Solutions: Implementation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
solutions across various sectors such as e-governance, waste management, water
management, energy management, urban mobility, and skill development.

·       Financing
of Smart Cities: The SCM receives Rs. 48,000 crores over 5 years
from the Central Government, averaging Rs. 100 crore per city per year. States
and Urban Local Bodies (ULB) are required to contribute an equal amount,
resulting in a total of nearly Rs. 1 lakh crore for Smart Cities development.

·       Challenges
Faced: Inadequate Funding and Its Utilisation - While 74 cities have
received 100% of their central share, 26 cities are yet to get the full funding
due to the slow progress of projects.

Sustainability
Concerns - There are doubts about the long-term sustainability of the smart city
projects, as many of them focus on technology-driven solutions rather than
addressing the fundamental issues of urban planning and governance.

Delay in Project
Completion - Despite the extension of the deadline, a significant number of projects
(around 10%) are still incomplete, indicating delays in execution. This can be
attributed to factors such as inadequate planning, lack of technical expertise,
and issues in land acquisition and clearances.

·       Way
forward: Effective Governance and Implementation - Appointing CEOs with
fixed tenures ensures continuity and attracts qualified professionals.
Stakeholder representation, including experts and Member of Parliaments (MPs),
fosters inclusive decision-making.

Data Security
and Upgradation - Establish robust digital infrastructure protection
to counter cyber threats and safeguard data privacy.

Building
Capacity and Funding - Strengthen Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in smaller
cities through capacity building programs. Central government assistance can be
crucial for organisational restructuring and skill development.

Ensuring Project
Completion - The Ministry's role should extend beyond fund allocation. Active
monitoring and providing expertise for timely project execution are essential.