“Smart cities in India cannot sustain without smart villages.” Examine this statement in the context of Assam.

The statement is highly relevant for Assam, where development is still largely rural-centric. Sustainable urban growth is not possible unless villages are economically strong, well-connected, and socially developed.

Interdependence between Smart Cities and Smart Villages:

Villages support cities by supplying food, raw materials, labour, and local products such as tea, bamboo, silk, and agricultural produce. Improved rural roads, storage facilities, and digital connectivity help link village producers with urban markets. In return, cities provide access to technology, finance, education, healthcare, and larger markets, benefiting rural areas.

Better rural education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities reduce distress migration to cities. This eases pressure on urban housing, transport, sanitation, and employment. When villages become economically viable, youth can find opportunities locally instead of moving to cities.

Villages also play a key role in sustainability by supporting renewable energy, water conservation, and waste management, which indirectly benefits nearby urban centres.

Assam’s Context and Recent Initiatives:

Assam is predominantly rural, with about 86% of its population living in villages. The success of Guwahati, the state’s main Smart City, depends heavily on its rural hinterland for resources, labour, and markets. If rural areas remain underdeveloped, urban growth will be uneven and unsustainable.

To address this, the Assam government has launched village-focused schemes such as the Chief Minister Samagra Gramya Unnayan Yojana (CMSGUY), which aims at holistic rural development through infrastructure creation, livelihood support, and community services. Such initiatives help strengthen villages and reduce rural-urban imbalance.

In addition, welfare schemes like Orunodoi 3.0, which provides direct income support to vulnerable rural households, improve rural purchasing power and economic stability, indirectly supporting urban markets and services.

However, challenges such as poor connectivity, floods, erosion, and digital gaps still limit rural development in many areas. Without addressing these through smart village initiatives—such as climate-resilient agriculture, digital literacy, and rural infrastructure—smart city projects will have limited long-term impact.

Conclusion:

In Assam, smart cities and smart villages must develop together. Urban sustainability depends on strong, connected, and economically vibrant villages. Therefore, a “Smart Village” approach focusing on connectivity, livelihoods, digital inclusion, and resilience is essential for balanced and sustainable development of the state.