The second most urbanized nation globally, India encourages environmental sustainability through its various urban development initiatives. India is committed to COP21, aiming to reduce emissions by 30-35% by 2030 as compared to the 2005 emission levels of the country. One such important initiative has been launching the Smart City Mission by the Government of India in 2015. The paper highlights five smart cities selected in the first round of the brilliant city challenge across varied geographies New Delhi Municipal Council – Northern India, Bhubaneswar -Eastern India, Chennai – Southern India, Pune – Western India, and Bhopal – Central India. The paper assesses the environmental concerns of these cities. It reveals that besides the 5 towns, 35 additional smart cities are selected out of 100 that are ranked among the 336 globally most polluted cities, as per the Numbeo Pollution Index 2020 Mid-Year. The study further analyses the projects undertaken by the five towns, and it has been observed that the framework of the smart city is more tilted towards the Area Based Development (ABD) rather than the pan-city, with the ABD accounting for a minuscule area (1.41 percent)for the five selected cities. Further, with the projects and investments being concentrated in the ABD area, the study concluded that although environment-related projects have commenced and are a case of work in progress, it has not yet resulted in any significant measurable changes concerning the environment. The sample study undertaken by the researchers has gained essential insights from its limited framework. It assists in making pertinent recommendations that will help frame the new format of Smart City Mission II, taking significant strides to move towards sustainable urban development – keeping in mind the environmental consideration.

Air Pollution, Air Quality, Environment Considerations, Smart City Mission, Urbanisation.