India Smart Cities Market Synopsis

India Smart Cities are Expected to Grow at a Significant Growth Rate, and the Forecast Period is 2023-2030, Considering the Base Year as 2022

A smart city is a concept that involves the integration of various technologies and data-driven solutions to improve the quality of life, sustainability, and efficiency of urban areas. Smart cities use cutting-edge technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics, to optimize infrastructure, utilities, transportation, and public services.

• The Smart Cities Mission was launched by the Government of India in 2015, to develop 100 smart cities across the country. These cities are selected through a competitive process and receive funding and support from the government to implement various smart initiatives. The projects undertaken in these smart cities aim to improve infrastructure, waste management, traffic management, energy efficiency, and citizen services using technology and data-driven solutions.
• India launched the Smart Cities Mission in June 2015 to transform urban areas through technology and innovation to promote sustainable and inclusive development. The mission's goal is to develop 100 smart cities across the country.
• Selection of these smart cities is done through a competitive process, where cities submit proposals that are evaluated based on their vision, feasibility, citizen engagement, and financial sustainability. Once selected, the chosen cities receive financial support from the central and state governments, along with contributions from local bodies and private sector participation.
• Each smart city designs and implements a unique set of projects tailored to its specific needs and challenges. These projects often focus on areas such as urban infrastructure, transportation, public safety, e-governance, waste management, energy efficiency, and smart grids. To achieve these goals, smart cities integrate technology such as IoT devices, sensors, data analytics, and AI.

Top Key Players:

"Larsen & Toubro (L&T) (India), IBM (US), Siemens (Germany), Cisco Systems (US), Schneider Electric (France), Honeywell (US), Wipro Limited (India), Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (India), Microsoft (US), Intel (US), Oracle (US), Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) (US), Tech Mahindra (India), Infosys (India), Accenture (Ireland), Ericsson (Sweden), Qualcomm (US), ABB (Switzerland), Bosch (Germany), Hitachi (Japan), and Other Major Players."

India Smart Cities Market Trend Analysis

Economic Growth and Competitiveness

• Smart cities can attract domestic and foreign investment. By creating an environment that fosters innovation, businesses, and startups, these cities become more attractive to investors looking for growth opportunities. The development of smart cities leads to a demand for skilled labor in various fields such as technology, infrastructure, and services. This in turn promotes job creation and reduces the unemployment rate in urban areas. 
• Smart cities create a favorable environment for developing entrepreneurs and start-ups. Thanks to strong infrastructure and technological advances, startups can develop and scale innovative solutions that meet urban challenges and drive economic growth. Integrating technology and data solutions into smart cities can increase overall productivity across sectors. Efficient transportation, logistics, and supply chain management lead to cost savings and better business performance.
• As India strives to become a global economic powerhouse, the development of smart cities will improve the country's overall competitiveness on the global stage. Well-planned, technologically advanced cities attract businesses, investors, and skilled professionals, contributing to India's economic status. Smart city initiatives, such as improving infrastructure and services, can increase revenue for both government agencies and private companies.
• Increased income can be reinvested in further development, creating a positive growth cycle. Smart cities create an enabling environment for the promotion of various industries and service sectors. For example, the growth of information technology, telecommunications, and IoT-based services is accelerating in such cities.

E-Governance and Citizen Engagement

• Smart cities can use e-government platforms to improve service delivery. Digital portals and mobile applications enable citizens to access government services and information online, reducing paperwork and long waiting times. Digital platforms increase the transparency of administrative processes by making information easily accessible to citizens.
• This increases accountability as citizens can monitor government activities and the progress of projects and initiatives. Electronic government tools allow citizens to participate in decision-making processes. Online surveys, town hall meetings, and digital feedback mechanisms allow residents to express their opinion on the city's development plans, public services, and political decisions. Smart cities can use digital communication channels to share real-time information with citizens during emergencies such as natural disasters or public health emergencies.
• Timely communication increases public safety and awareness. Smart cities generate huge amounts of data from various sources. By analyzing this data, governments can gain valuable information about city trends, citizen needs, and service requirements, facilitating data-driven decision-making.

According to the graph, in 2022, the E-Government Development Index (EGDI) composite score of India was 0.59. In the same year, India ranked 105 out of 193 countries. India slipped down from 100th place in the year 2020. The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs has been publishing this survey report since 2001 biennially which includes all member states of the United Nations.

The improvement in India's EGDI ranking from 2018 to 2022 suggests that the country is making strides in leveraging technology to enhance governance and public services. Continued efforts and investments in e-government initiatives are likely to further boost India's digital capabilities and overall ranking in the coming years.

India Smart Cities Market Segment Analysis

Smart Cities market is segmented into Solution and Service, Component, Level, and End-user. By Solution and Service, the Smart Utilities Segment is Anticipated to Dominate the Market Over the Forecast Period.

• The Smart Utilities segment was expected to dominate the smart cities market in India during the forecast period. Behind this dominant position are various solutions and services aimed at improving the efficiency and sustainability of urban areas. India's smart cities are focusing on energy management solutions to optimize energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions.
• Smart grids, integration of renewable energy, and adoption of energy-efficient technologies are expected to be key components of the smart utilities segment. Water scarcity is a major problem in many Indian cities. Intelligent water management systems, including real-time monitoring of water supply and demand, leak detection, and water recycling technologies, are expected to be key solutions in the Smart Utilities segment. 
• Smart cities are looking for innovative management solutions to deal with increasing urban waste. IoT-based bins, smart collection systems, and waste-to-energy technologies are expected to drive growth in the Smart Utilities segment.

India Smart Cities Market Country Insights:

• Gujarat has been one of the leading states in the smart city market in India as it has shown strong investment in smart city development and has already implemented several projects. The aforementioned projects like Gandhinagar Smart City, Ahmedabad Smart City, and Rajkot Smart City reflect the country's commitment to transforming its urban areas into sustainable and technologically advanced cities.
• The Government of Gujarat has shown strong support and commitment to the development of smart cities. He actively participated in the Smart Cities Mission initiated by the Government of India and actively implemented various smart city projects. Gujarat has a strong focus on urban development and has recognized the importance of transforming its cities into smart and sustainable urban centers. The national government dedicated considerable resources and attention to the modernization of urban infrastructure. 
• Gujarat was one of the first adopters of smart city concepts in India. The state started working on smart city projects long before the launch of the National Smart City Mission, which gave an advantage in implementing smart city projects. Gujarat has successfully implemented several pioneering smart city projects that have gained attention and recognition. Projects like Gandhinagar Smart City, Ahmedabad Smart City, and Rajkot Smart City have showcased the efforts and achievements of the country in the field of smart cities.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis on India Smart Cities Market

• The Indian smart cities market has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The epidemic has disrupted the implementation of ongoing smart city projects due to closures, travel restrictions, and labor shortages, causing delays in schedules. The budget constraints stemmed from a sluggish economy and reduced revenue, leading to potential cuts or delays in funding for smart city projects as resources were diverted to health care and emergency response efforts.
• The pandemic has caused a shift in cities' priorities to focus on public health and emergencies, temporarily derailing some smart city initiatives. At the same time, the importance of digital solutions was also emphasized when remote work, online training, and electronic management appeared during the crisis. The demand for digital technologies has grown in the management of city services.
• Healthcare and monitoring infrastructure became critical during the pandemic, highlighting the importance of smart city technologies such as AI-based surveillance, contact tracing, and telemedicine. Resilience and sustainability have gained importance in urban planning, emphasizing the need for energy efficiency, waste management, and disaster preparedness.

Top Key Players Covered in India Smart Cities Market

• Larsen & Toubro (L&T) (India)
• IBM (US)
• Siemens (Germany)
• Cisco Systems (US)
• Schneider Electric (France)
• Honeywell (US)
• Wipro Limited (India)
• Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (India)
• Microsoft (US)
• Intel (US)
• Oracle (US)
• Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) (US)
• Tech Mahindra (India)
• Infosys (India)
• Accenture (Ireland)
• Ericsson (Sweden)
• Qualcomm (US)
• ABB (Switzerland)
• Bosch (Germany)
• Hitachi (Japan), and Other Major Players

Key Industry Developments in the India Smart Cities Market

In March 2023, Honeywell announced the launch of its premium range of wiring devices, Blenze Pro for the Indian market. Blenze Pro range is specifically designed to meet the high-end wiring requirements of architects, interior designers, builders, and developers for residential, commercial, and hospitality buildings.

In June 2022, Intel India launched its new modern design and engineering center in Bengaluru in a bid to expand its design, engineering, and Research and Development (R&D) presence in India.