Tarigami concerned over delay in completion of Smart City Mission

Srinagar, Nov 21: CPI (M) leader Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami Monday expressed deep concern over the inordinate delay in the completion of Smart City Mission.
The various projects to be taken under the much hyped mission might stymie due to the availability of inadequate funds as the mission involves a 50:50 finance model with states/UTs, Tarigami said.
He said the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) is unable to pay the pending salaries of their employees and it calls into doubt if the UT could release its share of 50 percent funds.
“The citizen consultations are an important aspect of the Smart City Mission while executing various projects but unfortunately no such consultations are taking place. Such consultations are imperative to know where the citizens want to spend the money or the projects to be taken up,” he said.
He added that taking up projects like cycling tracks are good but they must be in sync with the overall mobility plan. “Similarly, the rejuvenation of markets should not come at the cost of livelihood of vendors,” he said.