SCM projects near completion in J&K: Centre

New Delhi, Dec 19: Jammu and Kashmir has made a substantial headway under the Smart Cities Mission (SCM), as data presented in the Parliament records the majority of approved projects in Jammu and Srinagar nearing completion.
In a written reply to Lok Sabha, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs said that Jammu and Kashmir has received Rs 941 crore as Central Financial Assistance under SCM, of which Rs 864.6 crore has already been utilised. A total of 288 projects amounting to Rs 6,603.5 crore were taken up in the Union Territory. Of these, 279 projects, amounting to Rs 6,364.7 crore, have been completed, while nine projects totalling to an amount of Rs 238.8 crore are under execution, indicating an overall completion rate of more than 96 per cent.
Under Smart City, Srinagar has witnessed significant progress as 156 out of 161 projects have been completed so far. The completed projects in Srinagar account for Rs 3,523.6 crore, while five projects with a cost of Rs 110.8 crore are under execution. While in Jammu city, 127 projects with a total cost of Rs 2,969.1 crore were approved under the mission. Of these, 123 projects worth Rs 2,841.1 crore have been completed, while four projects are still undergoing, which cost Rs 128 crore.
While highlighting the objective of Smart Cities, the Union Government clarified that the Smart Cities Mission is not the development of entire cities, but focused area-based development through retrofitting, redevelopment, greenfield projects and pan-city initiatives. These also include interventions in smart mobility, water supply, sanitation, governance, energy and environment sectors, it added.
The Ministry further informed that the projects are implemented through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) and are audited as per provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, with audits conducted by State Audit authorities.
Aimed to improve urban infrastructure and quality of life through technology-driven and sustainable solutions, the Smart Cities Mission was launched in June 2015 and during the different rounds of the national challenge process, Jammu and Srinagar were selected. (KNO)