Yes, necessary for growth | No, rural development matters more | Integrated planning is required

“A city is more than a place in space; it is a drama in time.” – Patrick Geddes

India is at a defining moment of urban transformation. With over 36% of India’s population now living in cities and contributing nearly 65% of GDP, the question of whether urban infrastructure should focus on smart cities is not just about technology but about shaping India’s future development model. The Smart Cities Mission (SCM), launched in 2015, aimed to develop 100 cities into technology-driven, efficient, and sustainable spaces. As of 2025, over 7,800 projects worth ₹1.7 lakh crore have been completed, marking a major step in India’s modernization journey.

Those supporting the “Yes” view argue that smart cities are essential for economic growth, innovation, and sustainability. With India projected to have 600 million urban residents by 2036, the need for intelligent management of resources like water, traffic, waste, and energy has become critical. Cities like Indore, Surat, and Pune have demonstrated how smart solutions—AI-based traffic management, waste segregation at source, and solar rooftops—improve livability. Indore, for instance, became India’s cleanest city for seven consecutive years by using real-time monitoring and citizen engagement apps. The digital integration of services in Bhopal Smart City Command Centre has improved policing and disaster response. Moreover, smart cities attract foreign investments and tech industries; Bengaluru’s startup ecosystem alone contributes nearly 10% of India’s GDP. These cities also drive employment, innovation, and infrastructure standards that can be replicated nationwide.

However, critics of the “No” view warn that focusing too much on urban centers can deepen India’s rural-urban divide. Nearly 65% of Indians still live in villages, where basic amenities like healthcare, sanitation, and digital access remain inadequate. The rural distress migration to cities is worsening slum congestion and resource pressure. Studies show that Mumbai and Delhi lose up to ₹60,000 crore annually due to traffic congestion and pollution—signs of unplanned urbanization. Instead of concentrating resources on select smart cities, critics argue for strengthening smaller towns and rural clusters to prevent “over-urbanization.” The Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission and PM Gram Sadak Yojana have shown that rural connectivity and digital infrastructure can also transform the economy. After all, urban India cannot thrive if rural India collapses.

The most balanced perspective supports “Integrated planning.” India’s development must connect rural and urban growth through Regional Economic Corridors, Digital India, and AMRUT 2.0. Cities should serve as hubs that uplift surrounding rural areas through logistics, employment, and skill networks. The GIFT City in Gujarat is a successful model of urban innovation that also boosts nearby rural economies by generating jobs and attracting global finance. Similarly, the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor integrates smart cities like Dholera and Aurangabad with manufacturing clusters and rural hinterlands. India’s future lies in smart regions, not just smart cities—combining digital infrastructure, renewable energy, water recycling, and green mobility across the spectrum.

From a defence and national security perspective, resilient and smart cities are vital for emergency response, cyber defence, and internal stability. Smart surveillance, GIS mapping, and AI-based disaster management systems can enhance both civilian safety and military logistics in urban conflict or natural crises.

In conclusion, while smart cities are necessary engines of India’s modernization, they must not become isolated islands of prosperity. The right way forward is integrated and inclusive planning—where technology serves people, and development flows both ways, from urban to rural and back. India’s strength will not come from a few smart cities but from a smart nation, where every citizen, urban or rural, lives with dignity, safety, and opportunity.

“India doesn’t just need smart cities—it needs a smart civilization.”