- Work apace on 122 other projects in Jammu, Srinagar
- Against Rs 515 cr AMRUT funds, UCs of Rs 358 cr submitted
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, July 28: Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has informed the Parliament that 187 Smart Cities projects worth over Rs 4000 crore have been completed in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and work is apace on remaining 122 projects in both the Capital Cities.
Giving details of progress of projects, the Ministry informed the Rajya Sabha that 187 projects worth Rs 4055.30 crore have been completed in twin Smart Cities of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Of these, 84 projects worth Rs 1479.35 crore have been completed by the Jammu Smart City Ltd while as 103 projects worth Rs 2575.95 crore have been completed by the Srinagar Smart City Litd till date.
The Ministry further informed the Parliament that 122 projects are ongoing in both the capital cities at the cost of Rs 3681.53 crore. Of these, work is apace on 40 projects having estimated cost of Rs 2102.52 crore in Jammu Smart City while as 82 projects worth Rs 1579.01 crore are going on in Srinagar Smart City.
“A total of 309 projects are targeted to be completed at an estimated cost of Rs 7736.83 crore in both the Capital Cities of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir”, the Ministry said while expressing optimism over completion of all the remaining projects within the timelines conveyed by the Government of India to the Government of J&K Union Territory.
Both the Smart Cities of J&K UT were selected through a two-stage challenge process and they are implementing diverse and complex projects in all areas of urban governance such as mobility, environment, public safety, disaster resilience, health, education, housing, water, sanitation and waste management.
“Such projects are inter-disciplinary and involve coordination between various Government departments. Besides, there are a lot of innovative projects like the Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs) being implemented by them, which have not been implemented by the cities and towns before the Smart Cities Mission”, the Ministry said, adding “the period of implementation of Smart Cities Mission has been extended up to June 2024 and all Smart Cities are expected to complete their projects within the stipulated time”.
As per the reply of the Ministry, the Housing and Urban Development Department of J&K UT is constantly monitoring the progress of the projects under Smart Cities Mission and all the issues are being resolved at the highest level in the administration so as to meet the timeline.
In reply to another question, the Ministry informed the Parliament that three cities of J&K-Jammu, Anantnag and Srinagar and two cities of Union Territory of Ladakh—Leh and Kargil were selected under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), the focus of which is on the development of basic urban infrastructure in the sectors of water supply, sewerage and septage management, storm water drainage, non-motorized urban transport and development of green spaces and parks.
The approved plan size of all these cities was Rs 593.05 crore and maximum committed central assistance was Rs 533.72 crore. Against this, central assistance to the tune of Rs 515.14 crore was released. However, Utilization Certificates (UCs) of Rs 358.39 crore have been received by the Union Ministry till date.
“AMRUT guidelines have specific provisions for formation of High Powered Steering Committee headed by Chief Secretary to monitor and supervise the implementation of the scheme”, the Ministry said, adding “apart from this, a UT Level Technical Committee headed by Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department also exists to provide technical support to the Steering Committee in monitoring and supervising the scheme”.
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