The idea that “Smart Cities cannot sustain without smart villages” highlights the interdependence between urban and rural development, especially in a state like Assam, where more than 85% of the population lives in rural areas. Developing smart villages—equipped with infrastructure, connectivity, and sustainable livelihood opportunities—is essential for the long-term success of urban centers like Guwahati, one of Assam’s major smart cities. This perspective underscores the need for a balanced urban-rural development model to achieve inclusive growth and sustainability.
A. Rural-Urban Interdependence:
- Assam’s rural economy is the backbone of its urban consumption, providing agricultural products and labor. Smart villages can support this interdependence by improving rural productivity and quality of life through better infrastructure, digital connectivity, and e-governance.
- The M.S. Swaminathan Committee on agriculture emphasized that smart villages, equipped with modern technologies, are crucial for improving agricultural productivity and reducing rural-to-urban migration. This would prevent urban centers from being overwhelmed by rapid and unplanned population influx.
B. Preventing Rural-Urban Migration:
- One of the significant issues faced by cities like Guwahati is the increasing pressure from rural migration, driven by a lack of opportunities in villages. If rural areas are developed as smart villages, with access to education, healthcare, and employment through schemes like Digital India and Rurban Mission, migration to cities can be reduced.
- A report by NITI Aayog highlighted the need to develop rural infrastructure, including digital services, healthcare, and education, to keep rural populations engaged and prevent unmanageable growth in urban areas.
C. Balanced Economic Growth:
- Smart villages will foster local economies, creating employment in agriculture, cottage industries, and eco-tourism, reducing dependency on urban centers. Assam, with its tea gardens, handicrafts, and organic farming, has the potential to build rural economic hubs that feed into urban markets.
- The Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project (APART) is an example of how rural areas can be empowered through infrastructure and market access. Developing rural economies ensures that urban smart cities can function without being burdened by unemployment and slum development in cities.
D. Environmental Sustainability:
- Assam’s rural and urban areas share a common environmental ecosystem, particularly around the Brahmaputra. Smart villages would promote sustainable practices like renewable energy, waste management, and water conservation, which are critical for both rural and urban areas. Environmental degradation in rural areas can directly impact urban areas, particularly with increased flooding and resource depletion.
- The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction emphasizes the need for resilient infrastructure in both urban and rural areas to mitigate the impacts of disasters. Assam, being flood-prone, can benefit from coordinated rural-urban planning for environmental sustainability.
E. Smart Connectivity and Infrastructure:
- The success of smart cities depends on the efficient flow of goods, services, and people between rural and urban areas. Developing smart transportation, digital connectivity, and energy grids between cities like Guwahati and rural Assam is essential for seamless integration.
- BharatNet and Digital India initiatives aim to bridge the digital divide in rural areas, enhancing access to markets, e-health services, and online education. These services would make villages self-reliant while reducing the load on urban infrastructure.
For Assam’s smart cities like Guwahati to truly thrive, the development of smart villages is essential. A well-connected and empowered rural sector will alleviate pressure on urban resources, ensure sustainable development, and create a balanced ecosystem where both rural and urban areas flourish. Integrating initiatives like APART, Rurban Mission, and BharatNet will lead to inclusive growth, which is crucial for Assam’s long-term prosperity.
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