Raja Syed Rather
Srinagar, Dec 12: The twin smart cities including Jammu and Srinagar are executing developmental projects worth Rs 6,603.39 crore under the Smart Cities Mission, the government data revealed here on Thursday.
According to the data, Jammu Smart City accounts for 127 projects costing Rs 2,969.07 crore, of which 117 projects worth Rs 2,773.31 crore have been completed, while 10 projects involving Rs 195.76 crore are ongoing.
Srinagar Smart City has taken up 164 projects with a total cost of Rs 3,634.32 crore, completing 144 projects worth Rs 3,311.79 crore, while 20 projects involving Rs 322.53 crore remain under implementation.
The government said that the efforts are focused on improving urban infrastructure and citizen services in both cities.
The Government of India’s urban development strategy aligns with constitutional provisions, with urban planning being the responsibility of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and State authorities. While urbanization is viewed as an opportunity for economic growth, challenges in implementing Smart Cities Mission (SCM) projects include legal hurdles, land acquisition issues, delays in clearances, and resource availability, especially in smaller cities.
To address these, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) monitors progress through multi-level review mechanisms involving state and national committees, field visits, and regular interactions with stakeholders. The SCM has completed over 7,000 projects, creating replicable models and documenting learnings to guide other cities.
