This policy addresses the sittings of Smart City Advisory Forums (SCAF) under the Smart Cities Mission (SCM). The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has established State Level High Powered Steering Committees (HPSC), chaired by the Chief Secretary, and SCAFs in 100 cities to facilitate collaboration among stakeholders. MoHUA has issued advisories emphasizing the importance of consultation and public representative participation. As of July 11, 2025, a total of 1,105 SCAF meetings have been held. Out of 8,063 projects (totaling ₹1,64,695 Cr) undertaken in the 100 cities, 7,636 projects (95% of total projects amounting to ₹1,53,977 Cr) have been completed. Following the financial closure of the Mission on March 31, 2025, Advisory No. 27, dated June 10, 2025, was issued to all States/Union Territories, requesting Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to ensure the timely completion of all ongoing SCM projects. The policy also addresses inclusion of Members of Parliament in State-level Smart City Advisory Forums, reasons for non-inclusion, and delays in projects due to irregular sittings.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for housing and urban development.
Smart City Advisory Forums: Forums established in cities to advise and enable collaboration among various stakeholders for the Smart Cities Mission.
Smart Cities Mission: A Government of India initiative for urban renewal and retrofitting.
DR. KALYAN VAIJINATHRAO KALE: The individual who raised question no. 2028 in Lok Sabha
SHRI TOKHAN SAHU: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
State Level High Powered Steering Committee: A committee chaired by the Chief Secretary at the state level for smooth planning and implementation of the Smart Cities Mission.
States/UTs: Refers to all States and Union Territories of India
Special Purpose Vehicles: Entities created to implement projects under the Smart Cities Mission.
O.I.H.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2028
TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 31, 2025
SITTINGS OF SMART CITY ADVISORY FORUMS
NO. 2028. DR. KALYAN VAIJINATHRAO KALE:
Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has taken steps to ensure the regular sittings
of the Smart City Advisory Forums in cities;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the number of sittings held during
each of the last three years;
(c) whether Members of Parliament have been included in the State-level
Smart City Advisory Forums, if so, the details thereof and if not, the
reasons therefor;
(d) the proposed plan of the Government to address the delays in project
occurred due to irregular sittings under the Smart Cities Mission; and
(e) the time by which the work of Smart Cities project is likely to be
completed in the country?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
(SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)
(a) to (e) For smooth planning & implementation of Smart Cities Mission
(SCM), there is a provision of State Level High Powered Steering
Committee (HPSC), chaired by the Chief Secretary. At the City level,
there is provision for establishing Smart City Advisory Forum (SCAF) for
all 100 cities to advise and enable collaboration among various
stakeholders.
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has issued various
advisories to the States and Project Implementing Agencies reiterating
the importance of consultation process especially the participation of
public representatives be scrupulously followed. A total of 1,105 SCAF
meetings have been held so far.
…2/--2-
As per the information provided by the States/UTs, as on 11.07.2025, 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.
Post the financial closure of Mission on 31 March 2025, MoHUA has
issued Advisory No 27 dated 10 June 2025 to all States/ UTs, wherein
all Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) are requested to ensure the timely
completion of all ongoing SCM projects.
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