11 June 2025: PIB Summary For UPSC

1. CAQM, CSIR‑CRRI, SPA sign MoU to reduce dust pollution via urban road redevelopment

(Source – PIB (Press Information Bureau), June 11, 2025)

Topic: GS Paper 3 (Environment; Urban Infrastructure & Pollution Management)

Context

Urban road dust is a major contributor to air pollution in Delhi–NCR. Enhancing road infrastructure through scientific interventions aims to tackle this persistent issue.

Content

• Tripartite MoU: Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), CSIR‑Central Road Research Institute, and School of Planning & Architecture collaborate to implement a Standard Framework for urban road redevelopment .

• First Phase Cities: Nine NCR cities are targeted, including Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Greater Noida, Bhiwadi, Sonipat, and Neemrana .

• Core elements of framework:

  • Cross‑section design based on road type and Right‑of‑Way (ROW)

  • Dust mitigation via greening of pavements and walkways

  • Web‑GIS‑based Road Asset Management System (RAMS) for maintenance

  • Adoption of new tech in construction and upkeep.

• Institutional Setup: Establishment of a Project Monitoring Cell (PMC) within CAQM, with technical support from CSIR‑CRRI and SPA. Includes a real-time monitoring dashboard.

• Strategic Impact: Scientifically designed, greener roads are expected to significantly reduce resuspended dust and improve air quality across NCR.

Way Forward – The initiative sets a replicable model for sustainable urban infrastructure. Its success hinges on coordination between NCR states, technical monitoring, and scalability beyond the initial nine cities.

Practice Question: Evaluate how a scientific, institutionalized approach to urban road redevelopment can contribute to reducing air pollution in NCR. Suggest measures to ensure effective implementation and replication?

 

2. MoHUA issues Advisory for Repurposing of Smart City SPVs

(Source – PIB (Press Information Bureau), June 11, 2025)

Topic: GS Paper 2 (Governance; Urban Development)

Context

The Smart Cities Mission (launched 2015) created SPVs and ICCCs for urban modernization. With the mission’s term ending March 31, 2025, a strategy is needed to sustain these institutions.

Content

• Mission Accomplishments: Over 93% of ~8,000 projects completed; 99.44% of ₹48,000 crore budget disbursed by March 2025 .

• SPVs & ICCCs: Played key roles in planning, execution, data analytics, and real-time urban management .

• Advisory Highlights:

  1. Complete remaining projects and prepare O&M plans

  2. Repurpose SPVs into multifunctional agencies aligned with city/state priorities

  3. Lay roadmap for continued use of ICCCs as urban operating systems.

• Five Domains for Future Role:

  • Technology support (cyber hygiene, analytics, data systems)

  • Project implementation and consultancy (charging 1.5–3% fee)

  • Research, assessment, and incubator functions

  • Investment facilitation and scaling urban development projects

• Financial Sustainability: Encourages State/UT policies to allow SPVs to levy centage fees for services; supports transition to financially autonomous entities .

Way Forward – Institutional capacities built under the Smart Cities Mission must be leveraged for broader urban challenges, ensuring sustainability, autonomy, and continued innovation in urban governance.

Practice Question:Discuss the advantages and challenges of integrating Smart City SPVs and ICCCs into long-term urban governance frameworks beyond the Smart Cities Mission. What steps should States take to ensure institutional effectiveness?

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