Smart Cities in India are playing a crucial role in the country’s growth as it becomes the 5th largest economy in the world. With rapid advancements in employment, education, population, and quality of life, the Government of India is implementing initiatives to elevate the nation to the standards of first-world countries. One such initiative is the Smart Cities Mission.
PM of India Narendra Modi launched the Smart Cities Mission in 2015 to improve the overall quality of life for citizens. At present, there are 110 cities selected under this mission. But what exactly are smart cities? What are the characteristics of these cities? What are the best smart cities in India? Scroll down our blog to find answers.
Table of Contents
Overview of Smart Cities
Smart cities are cities that are developed using modern technologies and are equipped with the latest facilities. In simple words, these are the cities of the future. The main objective of Smart Cities Mission is to allow people to live a sustainable life in a decent environment with access to modern infrastructure, amenities, and safety.
With the help of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), the city supervises resources, shares information with the public, improves operational efficiency, enhances welfare services, and aims to boost the overall quality of life of the citizens.
As per Smart Cities Gov data, the government of India planned a total of 8,067 smart city development projects with budget of INR 1,64,690 crores. As of November 2024, 91% (7,360) of the smart city development projects in India were completed with capital of INR 1,47,483 crores. The remaining 9% (707) of projects are still ongoing with an estimated capital of INR 17,207 crores.
In 2015, a total of 100 cities were selected as a part of this mission, but later on 10 more cities were added to this list. Out of them, we have put together top 10 smart cities that are likely to provide a better living experience in 2025 and the coming years.
Characteristics of Smart Cities in India:
Some of the key elements or characteristics of a smart city in India are mentioned below:
- Modern infrastructure and amenities
- Access to decent public and private healthcare
- Functional public transportation system
- Sufficient water and electricity supply
- Affordable housing
- Good internet connectivity
- Safety and secure law and order
- Efficient wastewater and solid waste management systems
10 Best Smart Cities in India
Here is a quick overview of the top smart cities to live in India that are best for living in 2025:
- Hyderabad
- Ahmedabad
- Indore
- Coimbatore
- Pune
- Guwahati
- Chandigarh
- Mangaluru
- Kochi
- Lucknow
1. Hyderabad
Hyderabad is one of the best smart cities and is a growing IT hub in India. With 135 link roads, a huge ORR, and 2 metro links, this city ensures great connectivity and hassle-free transportation. Hyderabad Metro Phase 2 is under planning, making commuting easy inside the city. Using AI, IoT, and data analytics, Hyderabad smart city manages traffic systems, waste and water management, street lighting, and more.
2. Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, the capital of Gujarat, is well-known for being an industrial and IT hub. Affordable housing, thriving business market, and reasonable cost of living makes it a great city to live in. Some of the notable smart city projects include river front road, real-time traffic advisory, wind power plants, drainage line, e-library, integrated command and control center, automatic parking and ticketing system, and more.
3. Indore
Indore is the cleanest smart city in India and is well appreciated for its solid waste management systems as it processes around 1,900 tons of urban waste daily. The government is conserving the rich heritage and the historical landmarks in the city and is building new roads with smart intersection improvements. Indore has a good infrastructure and is home to 51 public healthcare facilities.
4. Coimbatore
Coimbatore is best known for its extensive textile manufacturing industry. It is surrounded by lakes, offering great views and has a great sustainable water preservation system. Coimbatore smart city follows exceptional energy preservation techniques, has great smart CCTV surveillance systems, built more cycling paths and riverfront recreational spots, installed solar street lights, uses integrated traffic monitoring system, and more.
5. Pune
In Maharashtra, Pune is likely to offer the best living experience due to its pleasant climate, serene environment, and affordable housing projects. Traveling is made easier in Pune, thanks to extensive roads, smart buses, metro rail, and express airport services.
Smart grid systems, efficient city monitoring, asset management system, digital experience center, and smart sensor elements are a few key projects under smart city mission.
6. Guwahati
If you are considering living in a smart city close to nature, away from the hustle and bustle of metropolitan cities, Guwahati is a great choice. It is the biggest city in the northeast region, and the smart city mission aims to turn this city into a sustainable and modern city.
From smart buses to traffic monitoring, a river bridge to wastewater treatment plants, and smart poles to a CoC building, this city is being equipped with modern facilities and amenities.
7. Chandigarh
Le Corbusier is the architect who designed Chandigarh city, which has one of the best modern urban planning designs in India. This city has an incredible transportation network, health and solid waste management systems, and a water supply network.
From smart streets, sensory parks, and smart classrooms to e-governance and other ICT initiatives, Chandigarh is one of the best smart cities in India.
8. Mangaluru
As Mangaluru is a coastal city, smart city development projects are mostly focused on improving coastal roads, waterfront spots, and fishery trade. Smart roads are constructed with smart bus shelters and parking facilities in this city.
Also, there are smart sports centers along with waterfront activities in this city. There is a modern command and control center as well.
9. Kochi
Kochi is a special economic zone with thriving industrial growth, which is why the focus has been shifted to making it more modernized and sustainable. Better traffic and control centers, affordable housing projects, smart healthcare facilities, solar power plants, efficient water and waste management, and canal restoration projects are undertaken under the smart city mission.
10. Lucknow
Lucknow is another smart city in India that has a great culture, heritage, and history. It is quite breathtaking with green parks and spacious hangout spots and is known for enhanced cleanliness.
This city has incredible traffic monitoring systems, plenty of EV charging spots, and features underground cabling systems. In addition, the government also implemented dust control and wastewater management measures and set up smart health ATM centers.
In a Nutshell: 10 Best Smart Cities in India
To sum up, here are the top 10 best smart cities in India in terms of cost of living, available amenities, modern infrastructure, connectivity, and quality of life. All these cities offer the best living experience and also are great places for real estate investments. As these cities are still developing, real estate prices are rising steadily, which is why they make a great investment choice.
If you are planning to relocate to any of these smart cities and want to look for housing options, we have got you covered. Try Properties.market to find the best accommodation that fits your requirements, be it an apartment, independent house, a villa, or a residential plot.
