The Minister of State for Housing & Urban Affairs, Tokhan Sahu, provided an update on the Smart Cities Mission and 5G rollout in India during a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
According to the latest data from 100 smart cities, as of July 12, 2024, work orders have been issued for 8,016 projects valued at ₹1,64,223 crore. Of these, 7,218 projects amounting to ₹1,45,083 crore have been completed, demonstrating significant progress in the mission’s implementation.
The minister also highlighted the government’s initiatives to accelerate the proliferation of 5G services across the country. Key measures include the assignment of sufficient spectrum through auctions, financial reforms leading to the rationalization of Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR), and simplification of procedures for radio frequency allocations.
Additionally, the government has taken steps to streamline Right of Way (RoW) permissions and expedite clearances for telecom infrastructure installation. This includes the launch of the PM GatiShakti Sanchar portal and provisions for time-bound permissions for using street furniture to install small cells and telegraph lines.
The efforts appear to be bearing fruit, with approximately 17 crore wireless data subscribers adopting 5G services within just 19 months of its launch on October 1, 2022.
The progress in both the Smart Cities Mission and 5G rollout is expected to play a crucial role in the country’s ongoing digital transformation and urban development efforts.