Smart cities: Panel urges third-party audit of projects

The ministry of housing and urban affairs should roll out a third-party assessment of projects in the Smart Cities Mission to fill the gaps ahead of its next phase, a parliamentary standing committee said.

- Rituraj Baruah

The committee on housing and urban affairs noted that although projects in larger cities have an efficient organization and financial structure, and have performed well, the progress of the mission in many small cities is slow.

In its report, the committee said it had recommended third-party assessment of various projects undertaken in the Smart Cities Mission to fill the gaps before taking up the next phase of the mission. But it said the ministry has not responded to the recommendation.