Smart City 2.0: Tamil Nadu Proposes 15 Cities to Union Govt

Tamil Nadu has officially proposed the inclusion of 15 cities in the upcoming Smart City 2.0 initiative, set to launch in 2025. The initiative, under the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, aims to enhance urban mobility, civic amenities, and infrastructure development through a nationwide selection of 100 cities.

State Municipal Administration Minister K.N. Nehru and DMK Parliamentary Party Leader Kanimozhi submitted the request to Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. In the first Smart City program launched in 2015, Tamil Nadu secured 12 cities, ranking second after Uttar Pradesh. The state utilized 98% of the Rs 18,000 crore allocated, with the program’s deadline now extended to March 31, 2025.

Municipal Administration Secretary D. Karthikeyan highlighted that major cities such as Chennai, Coimbatore, and Madurai would be prioritized alongside emerging urban centers. The selection will be based on criteria including renewable energy adoption, wastewater recycling, intelligent traffic systems, citizen safety, and digital applications. Swachh Bharat compliance, effective grievance redressal mechanisms, and improved revenue systems are additional metrics.

Chennai’s implementation of the first Smart City program saw significant investments in T. Nagar, with Rs 1,000 crore allocated. However, urban planners and citizens have criticized limited outcomes, with the pedestrian plaza being the only widely used project. Experts emphasize the need for citywide development, including mobility solutions like Bus Rapid Transit Systems and non-motorized transport.

Meanwhile, activists are calling for transparency, demanding the release of the PWC David Committee’s corruption report withheld for two years. “Without addressing corruption, the new scheme risks becoming another money-minting exercise,” said Jayaram Venkatesan, convenor of Arappor Iyakkam.

As Tamil Nadu advocates for broader inclusion in Smart City 2.0, the state is keen to enhance urban living standards while addressing previous program challenges.