Latest PIB Updates (11th June, 2025)

As the Smart Cities Mission in India approaches its completion date in 2025, Smart City Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) are preparing for a transformation in their roles. With over 95% of the mission's projects completed, these entities are set to transfer their infrastructure and operational responsibilities back to local municipal corporations or urban local bodies for ongoing management and maintenance.

The SPVs, established to execute urban development projects under the Smart Cities Mission, have demonstrated their ability to deliver multi-sectoral urban projects with agility, building robust urban management capacities. For instance, the Nagpur Smart City SPV is preparing to transfer its assets to the Nagpur Municipal Corporation by the end of 2025 after completing nearly all of its projects.

In the future, the primary roles of Smart City SPVs are expected to shift towards asset and operations handover, reduced project execution, and potential transition to advisory or monitoring functions. Some SPVs might continue in a limited capacity for monitoring, technical support, or managing remaining commitments, but this depends on local government decisions and state policies.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has issued an advisory for repurposing Smart City SPVs after the conclusion of the Smart Cities Mission on 31st March 2025. The government recognises the strategic value of the institutional and technological capacity built via SPVs and plans to repurpose them as multi-functional, agile institutions for future urban needs.

Meanwhile, in a separate development, the Indian Army contingent has reached Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia for the Multinational Military Exercise KHAAN QUEST. The aim of this exercise is to prepare Indian Armed Forces for peacekeeping missions while operating in a multinational environment, thereby increasing interoperability and military readiness in peace support operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.

Poet-saints like Ramananda and Kabir, who composed devotional songs in local languages, played a significant role in making spirituality accessible to the common people. Kabir, venerated by both Hindus and Muslims, was a prominent figure in the Bhakti movement, which emphasised devotion and love for the divine over rituals and caste distinctions. Born in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, in the 15th century to a Hindu family but raised by a Muslim weaver couple, Kabir's works were written in Brajbhasha and Awadhi dialects, significantly contributing to Hindi literature and language development.

In the realm of urban development, SPVs are positioned to drive city-level economic development by supporting project structuring, procurement, and stakeholder coordination across tiers of government. They may also support ULBs in managing cyber hygiene, analytics, and data systems, with ICCCs (Integrated Command and Control Centres) being leveraged as city operating systems and state analytical hubs. Furthermore, SPVs can aid evidence-based planning through assessments, manpower/logistics support, and coordination, and may serve as incubation hubs for urban technology start-ups.

As the Smart Cities Mission winds down, the focus shifts towards preserving the mission's gains and building resilient urban futures. The MoHUA calls upon States and UTs to integrate SPVs and ICCCs into long-term urban governance frameworks, ensuring the continuity of the mission's benefits. With the majority of projects completed, over ₹47,731 crore (99.44%) of the total ₹48,000 crore budget disbursed by the Government of India for the Smart Cities Mission has been utilised effectively.

[References] 1. India Smart Cities Mission 2. Nagpur Smart City SPV 3. MoHUA Advisory on Repurposing SPVs 4. Smart Cities Mission Projects Completion Status 5. Exercise KHAAN QUEST 6. Kabir's Works 7. Bhakti Movement 8. Smart Cities Mission Budget 9. SPVs Supporting City-Level Economic Development 10. SPVs and ICCCs Integration into Urban Governance

The Smart Cities Mission in India is nearing its completion date in 2025.
Smart City Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) are preparing for a transformation in their roles.
Over 95% of the mission's projects have been completed by the SPVs.
These entities are set to transfer their infrastructure and operational responsibilities back to local municipal corporations.
The Nagpur Smart City SPV is preparing to transfer its assets to the Nagpur Municipal Corporation by the end of 2025.
In the future, the primary roles of Smart City SPVs are expected to shift towards asset and operations handover.
Some SPVs might continue in a limited capacity for monitoring, technical support, or managing remaining commitments.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has issued an advisory for repurposing Smart City SPVs.
The government recognises the strategic value of the institutional and technological capacity built via SPVs.
SPVs are positioned to drive city-level economic development.
They may support ULBs in managing cyber hygiene, analytics, and data systems.
ICCCs are being leveraged as city operating systems and state analytical hubs.
SPVs can aid evidence-based planning through assessments, manpower/logistics support, and coordination.
They may serve as incubation hubs for urban technology start-ups.
The focus shifts towards preserving the mission's gains and building resilient urban futures.
The MoHUA calls upon States and UTs to integrate SPVs and ICCCs into long-term urban governance frameworks.
With the majority of projects completed, over ₹47,731 crore of the total ₹48,000 crore budget has been utilised effectively.
Meanwhile, the Indian Army contingent has reached Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia for the Multinational Military Exercise KHAAN QUEST.
The aim of this exercise is to prepare Indian Armed Forces for peacekeeping missions.
Kabir, a prominent figure in the Bhakti movement, was born in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, in the 15th century.
Kabir's works were written in Brajbhasha and Awadhi dialects, significantly contributing to Hindi literature and language development.
In sporting news, the Champions League, NFL, WNBA, baseball, hockey, golf, sports betting markets, European leagues, basketball, NCAABasketball, MLB, NHL, racing, Premier League, American Football, NBA, Masters, Grand Prix, horse racing, weather forecasting, auto racing, and mixed martial arts are ongoing events.
The weather forecast for tonight includes a possibility of light rain.