JAMMU, Jan 29: Jammu and Srinagar, the two cities from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir selected under the Smart Cities Mission (SCM) of the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, have achieved near-total completion of their approved projects, with only a few works remaining.
According to a written reply by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to the Lok Sabha, 288 projects worth Rs 6,603 crore were undertaken in Jammu and Kashmir under the Smart Cities Mission. Of these, 281 projects costing Rs 6,464 crore have been completed, while seven projects worth Rs 140 crore are still under execution.
In Jammu, 127 projects worth Rs 2,969 crore were sanctioned. Of these, 125 projects valued at Rs 2,940 crore are complete, leaving two projects worth Rs 29 crore ongoing. The city has claimed Rs 489 crore in central assistance, of which Rs 444 crore has been utilised, reflecting steady financial and physical progress.
Srinagar, with a larger project portfolio, implemented 161 projects worth Rs 3,634 crore. Out of these, 156 projects costing Rs 3,524 crore stand completed, while five projects worth Rs 111 crore remain under progress. Srinagar has utilised Rs 441 crore out of Rs 452 crore of central funds claimed under the Mission.
Overall, Jammu and Kashmir has achieved a completion rate of over 97 per cent under the Smart Cities Mission, placing it among the better-performing regions in terms of project execution. The initiatives cover key sectors such as urban mobility, public spaces, water supply, solid waste management, IT-enabled governance, and surveillance infrastructure, supported by Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs).
Officials expect the remaining works in both cities to be completed soon, marking a significant milestone in urban infrastructure development in the Union Territory.
An officer from Jammu Smart City Limited said the remaining two projects—Waste to Wonder Park at Bhagwati Nagar and the Oceanarium at Bagh-e-Bahu—are progressing well and are expected to be dedicated to the public by late 2026 or early 2027. “Both projects are already approved under the Smart City Mission, and sufficient funds are available for their completion,” the officer added.
Regarding the Oceanarium, the officer noted that a tender for the supply of live marine ornamental fish, including a three-year replenishment period on EPC mode, has recently been floated and procedural formalities are expected to be completed soon. About the Waste to Wonder Park, he said, “work is being executed as per schedule, and progress is regularly monitored by the CEO of Jammu Smart City Limited.”
Efforts to obtain updates on the remaining five projects under Srinagar Smart City Limited from its CEO were unsuccessful.
On sustaining and scaling digital infrastructure, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Tokhan Sahu, informed Parliament that the Ministry has issued an advisory on “Re-purposing the SPVs created under the Smart Cities Mission.” This directs States and UTs to support ICCCs in developing self-sustaining business plans.
“For scaling up, ICCCs are encouraged to extend support to nearby Urban Local Bodies, line departments, and other national and state initiatives,” Sahu said, adding that ICCCs will continue to implement innovative, city-specific solutions to address local challenges in areas such as solid waste management, traffic management, and citizen services, thereby strengthening urban governance and service delivery under the Mission. (Agencies)
