Smart City Mission bringing major transformation to urban areas of Uttar Pradesh

Significant changes are being observed in the urban landscape of the state through technology-driven urban development efforts in Uttar Pradesh. Under the Central Smart City Mission, various initiatives are being undertaken to improve infrastructure, civic services, sustainability, and citizen-friendly governance in the selected cities. The primary objective of this mission is to promote sustainable urban development and improve the standard of living of people through Information and Communication Technology (ICT), improved infrastructure, and citizen-centric governance.

According to a report by India Today, 10 cities have been selected in Uttar Pradesh under the Central Smart City Mission, including Agra, Aligarh, Bareilly, Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Moradabad, Prayagraj, Saharanpur, and Varanasi. This mission focuses on improving urban infrastructure through a combination of area-based development and technology-based solutions. Its key objectives include promoting mixed land use and inclusive housing, developing walkable neighbourhoods, creating and maintaining open spaces, encouraging various modes of transport, and making urban governance more citizen-friendly and cost-effective.

The use of technology is a crucial component in urban management. Under this mission, facilities such as Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs), Intelligent Traffic Management Systems, tracking systems for solid waste collection vehicles, air quality monitoring, and automated street lighting are being implemented. Additionally, infrastructural improvements such as smart roads, multi-level parking facilities, development of open spaces, open gyms, and smart public toilets are also being carried out.

For implementation, the 10 central smart cities of Uttar Pradesh operate through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) established under the Companies Act, 2013. These entities are responsible for the planning, implementation, management, and supervision of smart city projects in their respective cities. As per a parliamentary reply from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs dated 2 February, 2026, Integrated Command and Control Centres have been made operational in all 10 central smart cities of Uttar Pradesh.

The smart city initiative in Uttar Pradesh is not limited to only these 10 cities. In the year 2019, the state government designated seven additional municipalities—Ayodhya, Firozabad, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Mathura, Meerut, and Shahjahanpur—as 'State Smart Cities'. These seven cities are covered under a separate state-level framework and are managed by their respective municipalities, whereas the 10 central smart cities are managed by SPVs.

The Smart City Mission was launched by the Government of India on 25 June, 2015. The aim of this mission was to promote sustainable development in cities and improve the quality of life of citizens through the use of technology and modern infrastructure.