India’s Smart Cities Mission was envisioned as a leap toward modern, digitally enabled urban centres, integrating technology with planning to improve governance, mobility, and citizen convenience. But as Kolhapur’s recent experience shows, the “smart” label often remains aspirational rather than operational.
The inauguration of the Bombay High Court’s Kolhapur circuit bench was meant to be a milestone event. Instead, it turned into a case study of inadequate planning. Traffic snarls paralyzed nearby areas, vehicles were stuck for hours, and the lack of designated parking for litigants, advocates, and officials exacerbated the chaos. Far from being a celebration of judicial progress, the event highlighted glaring gaps between infrastructure promise and reality.
Local reports indicate that the Kolhapur Bar Association had repeatedly raised concerns about insufficient parking and infrastructure to handle the daily volume expected at the new circuit bench. Despite these warnings, authorities failed to put either temporary or permanent measures in place, leaving the city unprepared for the expected influx of visitors.
Kolhapur is among the cities included in the Smart Cities Mission, a government initiative aimed at transforming urban centers through digital technologies, integrated planning, and efficient resource management. The initiative typically promotes tools like live parking updates, real-time traffic rerouting, digital signage, and command-and-control systems. Yet on the day of the inauguration, none of these “smart” measures were effectively deployed.
Instead, the city resorted to ad hoc interventions: a handful of traffic police were deployed, and citizens were asked to avoid the area. These reactive measures could not prevent the gridlock that had already taken hold. As a senior Bar Association member pointed out, the issue went beyond inconvenience; it reflected a lack of respect for both the judiciary and the public.
Urban experts stress that being a smart city is not just about installing technology, but about using it effectively. A Pune-based urban planner noted that smart traffic systems serve little purpose if they are inactive during peak demand or critical events. In Kolhapur, the failure to align smart systems with real-time needs turned a high-profile inauguration into a cautionary tale.
The incident reflects a broader pattern seen across India, where infrastructure projects are often inaugurated before the supporting ecosystem is ready. Whether it is transport hubs, administrative buildings, or healthcare facilities, the rush to launch frequently overshadows functional planning. The result is infrastructure that is impressive in scale but limited in utility.
Residents and local stakeholders have expressed frustration at the disconnect between the city’s smart infrastructure investment and its practical application. Kolhapur has already spent significant funds on command centers, surveillance systems, and smart mobility solutions, yet these tools were underutilized at a time when they were most needed.
Officials have now pledged to review traffic and parking arrangements and implement necessary measures. However, critics argue that this reactive approach undermines the very essence of smart governance. Effective planning, they note, should anticipate peak demand and large events, rather than improvising after problems occur.
As Kolhapur looks ahead, the hope is that the circuit bench inauguration becomes a learning moment. Ambitious projects can deliver real value only when supported by foundational infrastructure and proactive management. For a city aspiring to serve as a model of smart urban living, the next steps will determine whether the smart city designation is more than just a name on a signboard.
Kolhapur’s experience serves as a reminder: building big is only part of the journey; planning intelligently and executing effectively are what truly define a smart city.
