Launched on June 25, 2015, the Smart City Mission by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs aimed to modernize infrastructure in 100 major cities in India through technology. Initiatives included smart traffic management, open gyms for health, high-tech waste management for cleanliness, and e-governance. Over the past ten years, approximately INR 1.64 lakh crores have been spent on this mission. However, ground reports from cities like Bhopal, Bhagalpur, Jaipur, and Ludhiana reveal significant shortcomings in the implementation of these initiatives.

In Bhopal, for instance, a massive expenditure of about 1400 crores resulted in the purchase of smart bicycles at a cost of 5 crores, totaling 500 bicycles intended for public use. Unfortunately, these bicycles now lie abandoned and rusting, with their designated stands empty. Furthermore, the condition of bicycle tracks has significantly deteriorated, raising concerns about the city's management of the Smart City initiatives. Officials cite the expiration of tenders as a reason for the disruption in services, but this raises questions about the planning and sustainability of such projects.

Additionally, the solar panels installed with a cost of around 2.5 crores at the city's large lake are also being neglected, illustrating a broader trend of poor maintenance and oversight affecting several projects under the Smart City Mission. This ongoing issue casts doubt on the effectiveness of such national initiatives aimed at enhancing urban living standards and presents a critical evaluation of government accountability and project management in urban development across India.