Smart cities

Smart cities are those cities that strive to promote citizens’ engagement through information and communication technology(ICT) and a well-to-do urban service delivery system. The central government has proposed an outlay of 48000 crore over a period of five years to develop 98 smart cities across the nation. The remaining 48000 crores would be mobilized by the states as well as the private sector.

The reasons for developing smart cities are primarily two-fold. First, it would shift the already existing employment burden in agricultural sector towards non-agricultural sector. The agricultural sector is reeling under disguised unemployment. So, the construction sector in smart city plan would readily absorb the labour force thus providing employment to the needy sections of the society.

Second, the creation of employment opportunities would boost internal demand in the economy resulting in the sectoral growth of the manufacturing sector. It would ultimately help us to realize the ‘Make in India’ concept  that the nation aims to achieve. The smart cities would also indirectly attract foreign investments like FDI in the economy.

However, promoting urban governance holds the key for the success of ‘smart city’ initiative. That said, the central, state and the local government must work in tandem to implement the urban-centric programs. The urban bodies ought to be well-equipped and adequately staffed so as to implement the programs in an efficient and time-bound manner.