Indore to host fourth India Smart Cities Conclave 2023 on 26-27 September 2023

Indore, India (Urban Transport News): The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India, is set to host the highly anticipated India Smart Cities Conclave 2023. Scheduled for the 26th and 27th of September 2023, this two-day event promises to be a pivotal moment in India's urban development landscape. The Conclave, to be held at the Brilliant Convention Centre in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, will gather all 100 smart cities that are at the forefront of driving innovation in urban development. This gathering aims to provide a platform for these cities to showcase their outstanding achievements and set a roadmap for the future of urban transformation in India.

Felicitating Excellence - India Smart Cities Award Contest (ISAC) 2022

A significant highlight of the Conclave is the felicitation of the winners of the fourth edition of the India Smart Cities Award Contest (ISAC) 2022. The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, will preside over this prestigious ceremony on the 27th of September 2023. ISAC, organized under the Smart Cities Mission, has been recognizing pioneering city strategies, projects, and ideas since 2018. These awards not only celebrate exemplary performance but also facilitate peer-to-peer learning and the dissemination of best practices.

Distinguished Guests

The India Smart Cities Conclave 2023 will be graced by several dignitaries, including:

- Shri Mangubhai C. Patel, Governor, Madhya Pradesh
- Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister, MoHUA
- Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh
- Shri Bhupendra Yadav, Union Minister for Labour and Employment, Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Communications, Railways
- Shri Kaushal Kishore, MoS, MoHUA
- Shri Bhupendra Singh, Urban Development Minister, Madhya Pradesh

Moreover, senior government officials from Madhya Pradesh, mayors, and commissioners of all 100 smart cities, industry partners, academia representatives, and civil society organizations associated with the Smart Cities Mission will participate in this event.

Conclave Agenda

Day 1: The first day of the Conclave will kick off with the inauguration of an exhibition showcasing the award-winning projects of ISAC 2022. The day will also feature dialogues with the chief executive officers (CEOs) of smart cities and site visits to iconic projects implemented under the Smart Cities Mission in Indore and Ujjain.

Day 2: The focus of the second day will be the distribution of the ISAC 2022 awards by the Chief Guest. A total of 66 awards will be presented, including awards for states, union territories, cities, and partner organizations. In addition to the awards ceremony, the Smart Cities Mission will release several reports and publications during the Conclave.

The Smart Cities Mission in India

The Smart Cities Mission, launched in June 2015, aims to enhance the quality of life for citizens by providing core infrastructure, clean environments, and a decent quality of life through smart solutions. Over 6,000 projects with a total worth of more than ₹1.1 lakh crore have been completed under this mission, with the remaining projects set to conclude by June 2024.

One notable milestone achieved through the mission is the implementation of Integrated Command and Control Centers (ICCCs) in all 100 Smart Cities. These centers act as the central hubs for urban management, significantly improving services such as crime tracking, safety, transport management, solid waste management, and more.

Comprehensive Impact of Smart Cities

The Smart Cities Mission encompasses projects across various sectors, including mobility, energy, water supply, sanitation, public spaces, social infrastructure, and smart governance. For instance:

- Smart Mobility: Over 1,192 projects worth ₹24,265 crore have been completed, with 494 ongoing.
- Smart Energy: 573 projects have been completed, and 94 are ongoing.
- Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH): More than 1,162 projects worth ₹34,751 crore have been completed, with 333 ongoing.
- Public Spaces: 1,063 public spaces worth ₹6,403 crore have been developed, with 260 projects ongoing.
- Public Private Partnerships (PPP): 180 PPP projects worth ₹8,228 crore have been completed, and 27 are ongoing.
- Social Infrastructure: 679 projects have been completed, and 153 are ongoing.

The Significance of ISAC Awards

The India Smart Cities Award Contest (ISAC) has been instrumental in recognizing and rewarding cities, projects, and innovative ideas that promote sustainable development and inclusivity. The fourth edition, ISAC 2022, received 845 nominations from 80 qualifying smart cities. A rigorous evaluation process resulted in 66 final winners across various award categories, exemplifying the dedication to urban excellence in India.

In conclusion, the India Smart Cities Conclave 2023 is a testament to India's commitment to transformative urban development. It serves as a platform for cities to exchange knowledge, celebrate achievements, and pave the way for a smarter, more sustainable urban future. The ISAC awards recognize and inspire excellence, ultimately contributing to the betterment of cities across the nation.