In the year 2015, Government of India launched the Smart Cities Mission with the object of promoting the cities that provide core infrastructure, a clean and sustainable environment and a decent quality of life to all citizens. Smart Cities Mission provides application of smart solutions in providing service delivery on sustainable and inclusive development and the idea is to look at compact areas, create a replicable model which will act as a light house to other aspiring cities.
To improve the infrastructures of the Corporations and to provide world class amenities, the Smart Cities Mission is being implemented by 11 Corporations including Chennai viz. Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem, Thanjavur, Vellore, Tuticorin, Tirunelveli, Tiruppur, Tiruchirappalli and Erode. Under the Mission, a financial assistance of Rs.1,000 crore is provided to every city with the sharing pattern of 50:50 between the central and the state.
In 10 Corporations (except Chennai), So far 619 works at an estimated cost of Rs.9,722.62 crore have been sanctioned. Of which, 247 works at a cost of Rs.1,853.45 crore have been completed and other works are in various stages of implementation. The Mission period has been extended upto March 2023