Belagavi Smart City Ltd has emerged triumphant in the MoHUA India Smart Cities Award Contest (ISAC), securing the esteemed accolade for the best zonal smart city. The distinguished honor is set to be bestowed upon them by the esteemed President of India on September 27, 2023, at a ceremony in Indore.
Launched on June 25, 2015, the Smart Cities Mission is a visionary initiative aimed at elevating urban living standards through the implementation of intelligent solutions. The mission has been pivotal in enhancing core infrastructure, fostering sustainable environments, and improving the overall quality of life for citizens. The completion of a substantial 76% of proposed projects, totaling 6,041 ventures valued at ₹1,10,635 crore, reflects a remarkable stride. The remaining 1,894 projects, amounting to ₹60,095 crore, are diligently projected for completion by June 30, 2024.
With a focus on various sectors including mobility, energy, water, sanitation, waste management, public spaces, and governance, 100 Smart Cities have undertaken ambitious projects. Noteworthy accomplishments include the successful realization of 1,174 projects in smart mobility, valued at ₹24,047 crore, with an additional 434 ongoing projects valued at ₹15,940 crore. Smart energy has seen the completion of 573 projects, while 94 projects are still in progress. In the realm of Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), a commendable 1,162 projects have been completed, amounting to ₹34,751 crore, along with 333 ongoing projects worth ₹18,716 crore.
Moreover, over 1,063 public spaces have been developed, contributing ₹6,403 crore, and 260 more projects with a value of ₹5,470 crore are in the pipeline. The synergy of public-private partnerships has yielded 180 completed projects, valued at ₹8,228 crore, with 27 ongoing collaborations. Additionally, economic infrastructure has been bolstered with 652 completed projects and 267 ongoing ventures. Social infrastructure, encompassing health, education, and housing, has witnessed 679 successful projects and 153 projects still underway.
The India Smart Cities Award Contest (ISAC), an integral facet of the Smart Cities Mission led by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, is a platform that honors pioneering urban strategies, projects, and innovative concepts. The aim is to recognize and celebrate exceptional achievements, facilitate mutual learning, and disseminate exemplary practices. The fourth edition of ISAC was introduced in April 2022, featuring a two-stage evaluation process spanning various award categories. An impressive participation of 845 nominations from 80 qualified smart cities was received, and the rigorous evaluation journey culminated in the identification of 66 ultimate winners across diverse award categories.
The prestigious award ceremony is scheduled for September 27, 2023, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, where the esteemed President of India will bestow due recognition upon the exceptional achievers of ISAC 2022.
