Executive Summary:
This document provides a progress report on the Smart Cities Mission (SCM) in Andhra Pradesh as of July 31, 2025, in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3106. It details the number of projects completed and ongoing, the financial progress, and initiatives like the Smart Cities and Academia towards Action and Research (SAAR) program. The report also includes city-wise physical and financial progress in Amaravati, Kakinada, Tirupati, and Visakhapatnam.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Smart Cities Mission Overview:**
* The SCM aims to promote cities by providing core infrastructure, a decent quality of life, a clean environment, and smart solutions.
* As of July 31, 2025, 7,636 out of 8,063 projects have been completed across 100 cities under SCM.
* **Andhra Pradesh SCM Progress:**
* Four smart cities were selected in Andhra Pradesh: Amaravati, Kakinada, Tirupati, and Visakhapatnam.
* Out of 280 projects, 236 have been completed, and 44 are ongoing.
* Central Financial Assistance of ₹1,860 Cr (95% of total allocation) has been claimed, with ₹1,840 Cr (99% of claimed) utilized.
* **SAAR Program:**
* The Smart Cities and Academia towards Action Research (SAAR) program launched in 2022 to bridge the gap between academia and the Government.
* 91 urban projects activities were undertaken to showcase best practices.
* 50 Impact Assessment research studies as Sameeksha Series with 29 premier institutions of India have been initiated.
Impact Analysis:
* **Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA):**
* Impact: Responsible for the overall management and monitoring of the Smart Cities Mission and the SAAR program.
* Action Required: Continue to oversee the progress of ongoing projects, facilitate the SAAR program, and ensure effective utilization of funds.
* **State Governments (Andhra Pradesh):**
* Impact: Responsible for the implementation of SCM projects within their cities.
* Action Required: Expedite the completion of ongoing projects, ensure efficient fund utilization, and provide necessary support for the SAAR program.
* **Urban Local Bodies/ Smart City SPVs (Amaravati, Kakinada, Tirupati, Visakhapatnam):**
* Impact: Directly involved in planning, implementing, and managing SCM projects at the city level.
* Action Required: Ensure timely completion of projects, effective utilization of funds, and collaboration with academic institutions under the SAAR program.
* **Citizens:**
* Impact: Beneficiaries of improved infrastructure, quality of life, and urban services under the Smart Cities Mission.
* Action Required: Engage with local authorities and provide feedback on SCM projects to ensure they meet their needs and expectations.
* **Academic Institutions:**
* Impact: Partner in the SAAR program to provide research, documentation, and impact assessment for urban initiatives.
* Action Required: Conduct research studies, document best practices, and collaborate with government agencies to improve urban development strategies.
Key Entities Referenced
Smart Cities Mission: A program by the Government of India to promote cities by providing core infrastructure, a decent quality of life for citizens, a clean and sustainable environment and application of smart solutions.
Andhra Pradesh: A state in India where the Smart Cities Mission projects are being undertaken.
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for the Smart Cities Mission.
Smart Cities and Academia towards Action and Research SAAR: A platform launched in 2022 to bring together academia and the Government to document and research new urban initiatives.
National Institute of Urban Affairs NIUA: Organization involved in the Smart Cities Academia towards Action Research SAAR program
Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh: One of the four smart cities selected under SCM in the State of Andhra Pradesh.
Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh: One of the four smart cities selected under SCM in the State of Andhra Pradesh.
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh: One of the four smart cities selected under SCM in the State of Andhra Pradesh.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3106
TO BE ANSWERED ON AUGUST 07, 2025
PROGRESS OF SMART CITIES MISSION IN ANDHRA PRADESH
NO. 3106. SHRI Y S AVINASH REDDY:
Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Smart Cities Mission (SCM) has achieved its objectives of
promoting cities by providing core infrastructure, a decent quality of life for
citizens, a clean and sustainable environment and application of ‘smart’
solutions and if so, the details of total projects completed so far in Andhra
Pradesh;
(b) whether the mission indeed launched a platform in 2022 named Smart Cities
and Academia towards Action and Research (SAAR) to bring together
academia and the Government to document and research new urban
initiatives and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether it is true that twenty-nine premier institutions in the country have
undertaken fifty impact assessment studies, and twelve specialised
research institutes; and
(d) if so, the details thereof, particularly in the State of Andhra Pradesh along
with the funds sanctioned and utilised and the targets achieved so far?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
(SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)
(a) Cities under the Smart Cities Mission (SCM) have been developed based on
Smart City Proposals (SCPs) received from States/UTs across various
sectors viz. smart mobility, Water, Sanitation, Hygiene (WASH), smart
governance, smart energy, environment etc., duly approved by State High
Powered Steering Committee (HPSC).
As on July 31, 2025, out of a total 8063 projects amounting to ₹1,64,695 Cr
undertaken in the 100 cities selected under SCM, 7,636 projects (95% of
total projects) amounting to ₹1,53,977 Cr have been completed and the
remaining 427 projects amounting to ₹10,718 Cr are ongoing.
…2/--2-
Four smart cities, viz., Amaravati, Kakinada, Tirupati and Visakhapatnam
have been selected under SCM in the State of Andhra Pradesh. As on July
31, 2025, out of a total of 280 projects amounting to ₹6,589 Cr undertaken
under SCM in the State of Andhra Pradesh, 236 projects (84% of total
projects) amounting to ₹5,701 Cr have been completed and the remaining 44
projects amounting to ₹888 Cr are ongoing. City-wise progress of projects in
the 4 cities selected under SCM in the State of Andhra Pradesh are at
Annexure.
(b) The Mission launched a platform in 2022, named ‘Smart Cities & Academia
towards Action & Research (SAAR)’ program, a joint initiative of Ministry of
Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), National Institute of Urban Affairs
(NIUA) and leading Indian academic institutions of the country to bridge the
gap between academia and Government and document and research new
urban initiatives. 91 urban projects/ activities with the idea to showcase
country’s best practices and on-ground achievements were undertaken
which have since been published.
(c) In addition, under the SAAR initiatives, SCM has initiated 50 Impact
Assessment research studies as “Sameeksha Series” with 29 premier
institutions of India.
(d) In Andhra Pradesh, as on July 31, 2025, all the four cities have been able to
claim Central Financial Assistance of ₹1,860 Cr (i.e. 95% of the total Central
share allocation) and reported to have utilized ₹1,840 Cr (i.e. 99% of the total
Central share claimed). The details of physical and financial progress of
these four smart cities are at Annexure.
*****Annexure
Reply to part (a) and (d) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3106 for
answer on 07.08.2025 regarding Progress of Smart Cities Mission in Andhra
Pradesh
City-wise Physical and Financial Progress of Projects undertaken in 4 Smart
Cities of the State of Andhra Pradesh
(Amount in ₹ Cr)
Total Total Completed Ongoing
Utilization
Central
of Central
State/ City Assistan
Assistance Project Amount Project Amount Project Amount
ce
claimed
Claimed
Andhra Pradesh 1860 1840.49 280 6589.01 236 5700.65 44 888.36
Amaravati 488 488 19 902.94 14 746 5 156.94
Kakinada 490 485 92 1908.09 80 1731.17 12 176.92
Tirupati 392 388.02 104 2082.75 79 1610.65 25 472.1
Visakhapatnam 490 479.47 65 1695.23 63 1612.83 2 82.4
As per information provided by States / UTs as on July 31, 2025.