A fieldwork experience with Varanasi Smart City Limited

1. URBANFIELDWORK
-A report on Varanasi Smart City Mission Limited

2. URBANPLANNINGANDGOVERNANCEOFVARANASI
03
ABSTRACT
01
ABOUTSMARTCITYMISSION
02
CITYDEVELOPMENT:PHASESTILLPRESENT
04
ORGANISATIONALSTRUCTURE
05
OBJECTIVES

3. How Local People are affected by the projects
IMPACTSOFPROJECTS
08
PROJECTSTAGES
The steps from ideation to project handover
06
PROJECTS:COMPLETED&UNDERGOING
Details of the finished Projects by VSCL
07
MONITORING&LEAKAGES
M&E of the projects and the related concerns
09
URBANPOOR
10
TABLEOFCONTENTS
Status of Urban poor due to smart city projects

4. CONCLUSION
13
LEARNINGOUTCOMES
The Impact assessment conducted during the fieldwork
11
SUGGESTIONS &RECOMMENDATIONS
Details of the finished Projects by VSCL
12
OURTEAM
14
TABLEOFCONTENTS
Team Members name, roll number and picture

5. URBANFIELDWORK
Objectives
● To understand the institutions in the
urban areas for the city development
● To understand the working of Smart City
Mission
● To understand the Organisational
structure
● Impact assessment of the projects
● Impact on Urban poor
● Policy Recommendations

6. INTRODUCTION
Urban fieldwork is an essential part of understanding the challenges and opportunities
that cities face in the 21st century. It involves engaging with urban communities, studying
their environment, and analyzing the policies and projects that shape the urban
landscape. In this presentation, we will explore our urban fieldwork experience with the
Varanasi Smart City Mission, which aims to transform the ancient city of Varanasi into a
modern, sustainable, and inclusive urban centre. Varanasi, also known as Kashi, is one
of the oldest cities in the world, with a rich cultural heritage and a complex urban fabric.
The Varanasi Smart City Mission was launched in 2015 as part of the Indian
government's Smart Cities Mission, which aims to promote sustainable and livable cities
across the country. The Varanasi Smart City Mission focuses on several key areas,
including heritage preservation, urban mobility, solid waste management, and public
amenities. During our urban fieldwork with the Varanasi Smart City Mission, we had the
opportunity to engage with local stakeholders, including government officials, urban
planners, community leaders, and residents. We studied the city's built environment,
analyzed the challenges faced by the city, and evaluated the effectiveness of various
smart city initiatives. In this presentation, we will share our findings and insights from our
urban fieldwork experience, highlighting the innovative solutions and best practices that
the Varanasi Smart City Mission has implemented to address the city's urban challenges.
We will also discuss the lessons learned from our fieldwork experience and the
implications for other cities facing similar urban challenges.

7. ABOUTSMARTCITYMISSION
The Smart City Mission is a flagship program of the Indian government aimed at
developing 100 cities across the country as "smart cities." The program was launched by
the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in June 2015, with the goal of promoting
sustainable and inclusive urban development through the use of technology and
innovation. The selection of cities to be developed under the Smart City Mission is based
on a competitive process, with cities required to submit proposals outlining their vision,
goals, and plans for becoming a smart city. The proposals are evaluated based on a set of
criteria, including feasibility, citizen participation, and sustainability. Once selected, each
city receives funding from the government to implement its smart city plan, with a focus
on improving infrastructure, transportation, public services, and quality of life for
residents. The program also emphasizes the use of technology and data to improve
efficiency and transparency in city governance and service delivery. The Smart City
Mission has faced some criticism and challenges, including concerns about the exclusion
of smaller cities from the program and the slow pace of implementation in some cities.
However, it remains a major initiative for urban development in India and has the
potential to transform the country's cities into more livable and sustainable places.

8. Thecoreinfrastructureelements
 Adequate water supply,
 Assured electricity supply,
 Sanitation, including solid waste management,
 Efficient urban mobility and public transport,
 Affordable housing, especially for the poor,
 Robust I.T. connectivity and digitalisation,
 Good governance, especially e-Governance and citizen
participation,
 Sustainable environment,
 Safety and security of citizens, particularly women, children and
the elderly, and
 Health and education.

9. The Context of Varanasi :
Varanasi, a city of cultural and spiritual beliefs situated on the banks of River
Ganga, is popularly termed as the City of Music by UNESCO. The city is
known worldwide for ghats, embankments along the river bank, where
pilgrims perform ritual ablutions. It is also known as Benares, Banaras, and
Kashi. Varanasi has the finest river frontage in India, with miles of ghats,
or steps, for religious bathing; an array of shrines, temples, and palaces
rises tier on tier from the water's edge. The inner streets of the city are
narrow, winding, and impassable for motor traffic; the newer outer suburbs
are more spacious and are laid out more systematically. The sacred city is
bounded by a road known as Panchakosi; devout Hindus hope to walk that
road and visit the city once in a lifetime and, if possible, to die there in old
age. The site receives more than a million pilgrims each year. In addition,
thousands of domestic and foreign tourists flock to the city annually, and
tourism-related activities constitute a significant component of the local
economy.
VARANASISMARTCITYMISSIONLIMITED

10. ABOUTTHEPROJECT
Plans for City Development:
As the city is growing the population is rapidly increasing. As population increasing the
land use of the Varanasi is increased. In the following graph we can see this pattern of
land use.

11. The Varanasi Smart City Mission is implemented by the Varanasi Smart City Limited (VSCL), a
special purpose vehicle (SPV) created for the purpose of executing the smart city projects in the
city. The VSCL is jointly owned by the Varanasi Municipal Corporation (VMC) and the government
of Uttar Pradesh. The VMC plays a crucial role in the implementation of the Varanasi Smart City
Mission. As a local governing body, the VMC is responsible for providing the necessary approvals
and permissions for the implementation of various smart city projects. The VMC is also
responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the assets created under the smart city mission.
The Varanasi Smart City Mission also emphasizes citizen participation and engagement, and the
VMC plays a key role in this aspect. The VMC works with the VSCL to involve citizens in the
planning and implementation of smart city projects. The VMC also has a role in ensuring that the
smart city projects align with the city's overall development plan and priorities. In addition to its
role in the implementation of smart city projects, the VMC also has a role in ensuring the
sustainability of the projects. The VMC is responsible for the long-term maintenance and
operation of the assets created under the Varanasi Smart City Mission. Overall, the Varanasi Smart
City Mission is closely linked with the Varanasi Municipal Corporation, and the success of the
mission depends on the collaboration and coordination between the two entities.
LINKAGEBETWEENVSCLANDVARANASINAGARNIGAM

12. CITYDEVELOPMENTPLANS
I Master
Plan
II Master
Plan
City
Development
Plan
III Master
Plan
City
Development
Plan
1st plan established for
Varanasi city for 1961-
1991 which was made by
the Varanasi
Development Authority
2nd plan established for
Varanasi city for 1991-
2011 made by the
Varanasi Development
Authority
1st city development plan
made by Jawaharlal
Nehru National Urban
Renewal Mission
(JNNURM)
3rd plan established for
Varanasi city for 2011-
2031 made by the
Varanasi Development
Authority
2nd gen City
Development Plan made
by Ministry of Urban
Development,
Government of India and
The World Bank

13. ORGANISATIONAL
STRUCTURE

14. Deals with earth-friendly initiatives. It is
rejuvenating sacred water bodies and parks,
while inserting efficiency and accountability
into water- and waste management solutions.
Capitalises upon UNESCO's City of
Music label. It is rejuvenating the
experience of Varanasi's historic
temples and riverfront Ghats.
NirmalKashi
Suramya Kashi
Samunnat Kashi
EkikritKashi
Sanyojit Kashi
Surakshit Kashi
Focuses on improving the police-citizen
interface. It is creating safer public spaces, and
proactive emergency response, through
analytics-based surveillance.
SUB-MISSIONUNDERVSCL
Aims to create a right-skilled workforce that is healthy
and works healthily. It uses smart technology to establish
market linkages to promote local artefacts, provide better
spaces for work, and enhance the life and health of local
workers.
Digitises Varanasi's services to ensure transparent access
to information, and quality services for all citizens. It
employs smart cards and mobile apps to make grievance
redressal effective.
Focuses on generating a customised model of transit and
transportation. It is easing congestion, improving last-
mile connectivity, and diversifying modes of transport.

15. PROJECT PLANNING
STEP2
PROJECT TENDERING
STEP4
PROJECT DESIGN
STEP3
PROJECT IDEATION
STEP1
BID EVALUATION
STEP5
FLOWCHARTOFPROJECTSINVSCL

16. PROJECT EXECUTION
STEP7
PROJECT COMPLETION
STEP9
PROJECT MONITORING
STEP8
CONTRACT AWARD
STEP6
PROJECT HANDOVER
STEP10
FLOWCHARTOFPROJECTSINVSCL

17. The smart city projects under the Varanasi Smart City Mission
are aimed at improving the infrastructure of the city, including
roads, water supply, and sewage systems. This will improve the
quality of life of local people by reducing the incidence of
waterborne diseases and providing better transport facilities.
The Varanasi Smart City Mission includes several projects aimed
at improving the experience of tourists visiting the city. The
redevelopment of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the
development of riverfront areas, and the creation of parks and
recreational spaces are expected to increase the number of
tourists visiting Varanasi. This will benefit the local economy by
creating jobs and generating revenue.
IMPROVEDINFRASTRUCTURE
INCREASEDTOURISM
IMPACTOFVSCLONTHELOCALPEOPLE

18. The smart city projects under the Varanasi Smart City Mission
aim to improve access to public services such as healthcare,
education, and public transport. This will benefit local people by
improving their access to essential services and reducing their
travel time.
The Varanasi Smart City Mission places a strong emphasis on
citizen engagement and participation in the planning and
implementation of smart city projects. This will help to increase
awareness and understanding of the mission among local
people and promote a sense of ownership and pride in the city.
BETTERACCESSTOPUBLICSERVICES
INCREASEDCITIZEN ENGAGEMENT
IMPACTOFVSCLONTHELOCALPEOPLE

19. The smart city projects under the Varanasi Smart City Mission
aim to improve the environment of the city by promoting
sustainable practices such as waste management, green spaces,
and non-motorized transport. This will benefit local people by
reducing pollution levels and improving the quality of the air
and water in the city.
Overall, the Varanasi Smart City Mission has the potential to
significantly improve the lives of local people by providing
better infrastructure, increasing tourism, improving access to
public services, promoting citizen engagement, and improving
the environment.
IMPROVEDENVIRONMENT
IMPACTOFVSCLONTHELOCALPEOPLE

20. DRAWBACKSOFVSCL
While the VSCL emphasizes citizen
participation and engagement in the
planning and implementation of smart
city projects, some critics argue that
the level of citizen participation has
been limited and that local people
have not been adequately consulted or
involved in decision-making.
Some of the smart city projects under the
Varanasi Smart City Mission have faced
delays in implementation due to a variety
of factors such as land acquisition, funding
issues, and technical challenges.
DELAYEDIMPLEMENTATION LIMITEDCITIZEN’SPARTICIPATION
COSTOVERRUNS
The cost of some of the smart city projects
under the Varanasi Smart City Mission has
exceeded the original estimates, leading to
cost overruns and budgetary challenges.
DISPLACEMENTOFLOCALCOMMUNITIES
Some of the smart city projects under the
Varanasi Smart City Mission involve the
relocation of local communities, which can
lead to displacement and disruption for
those affected.