Says Govt Sold ‘Total Transformation’ Narrative Without Results
March 31, 2026: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday criticised the Modi government over the Smart Cities Mission, alleging that it was never intended to develop entire cities. Calling it a “half-baked scheme,” he said the programme was presented as a vision of complete transformation but failed to deliver tangible improvements on the ground.
Gandhi described the mission as an example of the government’s “modus operandi” of big announcements and publicity without accountability. He questioned what defines a “smart city,” how success is measured, and whether people have actually benefited, pointing to issues like unsafe infrastructure, contaminated water, and poor sanitation. He also claimed that despite spending nearly ₹48,000 crore and declaring 97% of projects complete, there is little visible change in citizens’ daily lives.
Responding to the criticism, Minister of State Tokhan Sahu said the mission was designed as an area-based development model rather than full-city transformation. He noted that most projects have been completed and funds largely utilised. The government also cited a NITI Aayog report supporting the scheme’s relevance, even as the political debate over its real impact continues.