Dr Ajit Salvi, Director, Regional Centre for Urban and Environmental Studies, AIILSG, Mumbai
India’s urban landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, with projections indicating that by 2036, approximately 40 per cent of the nation’s population, nearly 600 million individuals, will reside in urban areas. Dharavi Mumbai, often cited as one of the world’s largest slums, underscores the urgent need for affordable housing solutions, highlighting the gap in adequate housing infrastructure. Cities like Bengaluru have experienced water crises due to rapid urban growth exceeding the development of water infrastructure, leading to shortages and emphasising the necessity for sustainable water management systems. The rapid urbanisation necessitates the development of robust infrastructure to support essential services such as housing, water supply, sewage systems, transportation networks and waste management. To manage these challenges effectively, integrating technology such as internet of things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) is crucial, and innovations like geospatial digital twins that allow the real-time monitoring of infrastructure ensure efficient urban development.
India has set ambitious targets to address environmental and urban challenges, including achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2070; transforming urban centres into sustainable, resilient and inclusive communities under the Vikasit Bharat vision by 2047; and upgrading infrastructure and services under the Smart Cities Mission (SCM), Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), etc. Integrating digital technologies into government programmes is essential for effective urban management. The use of real-time data analytics, IoT-enabled infrastructure monitoring and AI-driven systems can enhance air quality monitoring, manage traffic flow, and optimise water and waste disposal systems.
Need for digitalisation and its benefits
Indian government schemes often face inefficiencies due to manual processes, a lack of transparency and delays in service delivery. Misallocation of resources and difficulties in reaching the intended beneficiaries weaken their impact. Inadequate technology has also perpetuated manual scavenging practices, exposing workers to hazardous conditions. Similarly, the lack of maintenance and oversight in sanitation infrastructure has led to the contamination of water resources and soil, affecting human health and ecology. Digitalisation can streamline these operations in multiple ways. For instance, implementing smart water meters and IoT-enabled monitoring systems can provide real-time data on water usage and quality, allowing for timely interventions and efficient resource management. The introduction of mechanised cleaning equipment and robotics can eliminate hazardous manual scavenging practices, safeguarding worker health and dignity.
Additionally, digitalisation enhances transparency, ensuring that data is easily accessible to the public and government authorities, reducing fund misallocation and corruption. AI-powered predictive analytics can forecast demand for resources, optimise waste management and improve policy implementation. Blockchain technology can ensure secure, tamper-proof records, reducing fraud in welfare distribution and records management. Cloud-based data management enables seamless integration and coordination among various government departments, reducing bureaucratic delays. AI-powered surveillance, digital grievance redressal mechanisms and e-governance portals can improve service delivery, enhance security and make justice more accessible. Digital public distribution systems can prevent leakage in food subsidy programmes by ensuring the efficient tracking of supply chains.
Developments under key government schemes
Swachh Bharat Mission
The Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban has effectively harnessed technology to drive citizen engagement and improve sanitation services across Indian cities. The Swachhata-MoHUA app allows citizens to report sanitation and waste management issues, track complaint resolutions and provide feedback, leading to improved accountability from city authorities, with over 93 per cent of complaints resolved. The SBM Toilet Locator feature on Google Maps has made public toilets easily accessible by allowing users to find and rate facilities, while the My Toilet Facility app enables real-time monitoring of community and public toilets to ensure cleanliness. Additionally, the eLearning portal, developed in partnership with Microsoft, has trained over 88,000 municipal employees and educated citizens on sanitation practices, with more than 800,000 certifications issued.
AMRUT
AMRUT has effectively integrated technology and digital advancements to enhance urban infrastructure and service delivery across Indian cities. Key initiatives include the implementation of supervisory control and data acquisition systems for automated monitoring and control of water supply networks, ensuring efficient distribution and reducing losses. Geographic information system (GIS)-based master plans have been developed to facilitate precise urban planning by mapping existing infrastructure and identifying areas for development, resulting in optimised resource allocation. Automated building permission systems have streamlined the approval process for building permits, reducing delays and enhancing transparency in urban development projects. Under AMRUT 2.0, a dedicated Technology Sub-Mission for Water has been established to leverage the latest global technologies in water management, aiming to improve service delivery and resource management. Additionally, the mission promotes a city start-up alliance for innovative, environment-friendly water technologies, with 105 start-ups selected to implement projects in collaboration with 67 cities.
SCM
Under the SCM, integrated command and control centres (ICCCs) have been established across several smart cities to monitor and manage urban services. These centres utilise data analytics and IoT-enabled devices to oversee water distribution networks, promptly addressing issues such as pipeline leaks or blockages. For instance, the ICCC in Bhopal has been instrumental in improving water supply efficiency and ensuring timely maintenance. In the realm of water management, cities like Pune are pioneering the deployment of smart water meters, providing real-time data on consumption to assist in leak detection and promote conservation. Similarly, Ahmedabad’s sensor-based monitoring of the water network has resulted in an additional supply of 50 million litres per day by detecting and addressing leakages. For sanitation, Pune’s initiative to equip community toilets with Wi-Fi and sensors to monitor usage and maintenance needs has set a new standard for urban sanitation.
JJM
The JJM’s key initiative is the deployment of sensor-based IoT devices for real-time monitoring of rural drinking water systems, targeting over 600,000 villages. These sensors track parameters like water quantity, quality and pressure, ensuring efficient service delivery. To support field operations, the JJM Field User app enables engineers to geotag water sources and infrastructure, functioning both online and offline for continuous data collection. The mission’s Integrated Management Information System serves as a centralised database for asset inventories and beneficiary records, promoting transparency and accountability. The interactive JJM dashboard provides real-time updates on the mission’s progress, detailing tap water connections at various administrative levels and highlighting regions that achieve “Har Ghar Jal” status. The Water Quality Management Information System (WQMIS) connects water testing laboratories nationwide, allowing communities to submit samples and receive digital results, empowering citizens to monitor water quality. Information, education and communication campaigns utilise digital platforms to raise awareness about safe water practices and sanitation, aiming for sustained behavioural change.
Best practices
The Swachhata app enables citizens to report sanitation issues by uploading photographs. This platform has amassed over 18 million users who have submitted approximately 23.9 million complaints, achieving a resolution rate exceeding 93.72 per cent, thereby fostering citizen engagement and accountability. In Maharashtra, under the JJM, Ceinsys Tech Limited has been appointed as the system integrator for implementing an IoT-based solution to revolutionise water distribution management. This initiative has been successfully implemented across rural regions, transforming water supply into a reliable service. Under the SCM, Surat’s smart water management system maintains non-revenue water loss at 20 per cent through proactive leak detection and systematic billing. In Thane, Maharashtra, the installation of over 105,000 smart water meters has modernised water management, replacing outdated infrastructure and promoting efficient water use.
In sum
The JJM’s success in reaching 80.18 per cent of rural households with tap water connections is underpinned by the use of GIS and IoT for efficient planning and monitoring. The WQMIS has facilitated the testing of over 7.7 million water samples in laboratories, ensuring quality standards. Additionally, over 66 smart cities are utilising technology for enhanced solid waste management, while the SBM has effectively engaged citizens through the Swachhata app, which has garnered over 15 million users and resolved over 17 million complaints. The Sansaadhan portal is being piloted to digitally track waste collection and processing, and online platforms have mobilised over 1,090 million participants in the Swachhata Hi Sewa 2023 campaign.
