Correct Option
The correct option is 1 only
Explanation
The Smart Cities Mission is an urban renewal and retrofitting program by the Government of India aimed at developing cities that provide core infrastructure, a clean and sustainable environment, and a decent quality of life to their citizens through the application of 'Smart Solutions'.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: The primary objective of the Smart Cities Mission is to promote cities that provide core infrastructure (such as water supply, electricity, sanitation, and urban mobility) and a clean, sustainable environment. It seeks to drive economic growth and improve the quality of life.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The mission emphasizes the use of technology and information (Smart Solutions) to improve infrastructure and services. Examples include e-governance, intelligent traffic management, and smart metering. It aims to move away from inefficient manual systems, not rely entirely on them.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: The mission does not focus solely on greenfield cities. Its strategic components include City Improvement (Retrofitting), City Renewal (Redevelopment), and City Extension (Greenfield development), along with a Pan-city initiative. A significant portion of the mission involves upgrading existing compact areas.
Key Takeaway:
The Smart Cities Mission integrates core infrastructure development with 'Smart Solutions' (technology) and focuses on both retrofitting existing areas and developing new areas (greenfield), rather than relying on manual systems or solely new cities.