Smart Cities Mission Nears End: 97% Projects Completed Across 100 Cities But Performance Gaps Persist

Nearly 11 years after its launch, India’s flagship Smart Cities Mission has entered the final phase of implementation, with 97 per cent of all sanctioned projects completed. The latest Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs data (as of March 31, 2026) shows strong overall delivery, yet city-level performance varies sharply.

Launched on June 25, 2015, the Mission targeted 100 cities with area-based development and pan-city technology solutions covering mobility, water, sanitation, energy efficiency, digital governance and public safety.

Key Numbers at a Glance

Total projects sanctioned: 8,064 worth Rs 1,64,811 crore
Projects completed: 7,790 (97%) worth Rs 1,56,257 crore
Remaining projects: 274 worth about Rs 8,554 crore
Central allocation: Rs 48,000 crore
Claimed by states/UTs: Rs 47,458 crore (99%)
Utilised: Rs 46,377 crore (98%)

Top-Performing Smart Cities

Several cities achieved 100% completion, reflecting strong planning and execution:

Indore: All 231 projects worth Rs 3,751 crore
Guwahati: All 21 projects worth Rs 755 crore; full utilisation of Rs 490 crore Central funds
Chandigarh: All 97 projects worth Rs 2,694 crore
Varanasi: All 117 projects worth Rs 3,342 crore
Gujarat standouts – Surat (all 87), Rajkot (all 71), Vadodara (all 52); Ahmedabad 69 of 70
Others: Patna (all 34), Agartala (all 77), Kohima (all 40), Raipur (337 of 342 – highest number completed)

Cities Still Lagging

Despite the national 97% success rate, some urban centres trail:

Faridabad: 35 of 44
Greater Warangal: 103 of 119
Karnal: 105 of 117
Mangaluru: 98 of 105
Ludhiana: 74 of 82
Kavaratti (Lakshadweep): Weakest performer – only 8 of 12 projects completed; just Rs 45 crore utilised against Rs 183 crore sanctioned; completed works valued at only Rs 11 crore

Northeastern cities such as Aizawl (33 of 45), Shillong (10 of 13) and Imphal (23 of 27) also have unfinished works, though many have crossed the 80-90% mark.

From Construction to Sustainability

Although the Mission formally ended on March 31, 2025, the Ministry has directed states to finish pending projects, prepare long-term operation and maintenance plans, and repurpose Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs). Integrated Command and Control Centres are to continue supporting urban governance and emergency response.

Urban affairs expert Prof K K Pandey of the Indian Institute of Public Administration notes that completing 97% of projects and utilising 98% of Central funds marks a strong execution record. The real test now lies in maintaining these assets, ensuring regular technology upgrades and delivering lasting improvements in service quality and urban resilience.

Cities with stronger institutional capacity finished faster, while remote or administratively constrained locations continue to face challenges. The Smart Cities Mission has largely delivered modern urban infrastructure; the next chapter depends on sustained operation and maintenance by states and local bodies.