Avinash Azad
The Jammu and Kashmir government Monday admitted in the Legislative Assembly that a whopping ₹792.92 crore has already been spent on the Srinagar Smart City Project since its inception in 2018-19, yet no proposal for a Part-II (Phase-II) of the project is even under consideration.
The disclosure came in response to a question raised by senior National Conference leader and MLA Ali Mohammad Sagar during the ongoing winter session of the J&K Legislative Assembly at Srinagar.
Sagar had sought details of the salient features of the Srinagar Smart City Project, along with year-wise expenditure incurred under the ambitious scheme touted as a model for urban transformation in Jammu and Kashmir’s summer capital.
In a lengthy but largely generic written reply, the government reproduced the textbook definition of the Smart City Mission, describing it as an initiative aimed to “promote cities that provide core infrastructure, a decent quality of life, a clean and sustainable environment, and the application of ‘Smart Solutions.’”
According to the reply, the core infrastructure elements of a Smart City include adequate water and power supply, efficient public transport, waste management, affordable housing, robust digital connectivity, e-governance, and citizen safety — particularly for women, children, and the elderly.
The government listed the following “salient features” of the Srinagar Smart City Project:
- Promoting mixed land use to make urban land more efficient.
- Expanding housing inclusiveness for all income groups.
- Creating walkable localities to reduce congestion and pollution.
- Preserving open spaces like parks and recreational areas.
- Promoting variety in transport options including public and last-mile connectivity.
- Making governance citizen-friendly through online and mobile-based services.
- Giving Srinagar a distinct identity based on its economic, cultural, and artistic strengths.
- Applying smart solutions to infrastructure and services to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
While these lofty ideals appear impressive on paper, the government’s financial disclosure paints a more sobering picture — ₹792.92 crore has already been spent from 2018-19 to 2025-26, yet the administration failed to highlight any major, completed, city-wide outcomes.
Even more telling was the government’s response to Sagar’s follow-up question on whether Srinagar Smart City Project Part-II was in the pipeline. The government tersely replied: “Presently, no such proposal is under consideration.”
The reply has sparked criticism from urban experts and political observers who allege that the Smart City project has become more of a cosmetic facelift — focusing on pavements, lighting, and facades — rather than addressing Srinagar’s core civic challenges such as flooding, parking chaos, drainage, and public transport.
A senior official, requesting anonymity, told The Hidden News that “the Smart City spending lacks transparency and public oversight”, with several projects either incomplete or under-utilized. Opposition leaders have also pounced on the revelation, calling it a glaring example of mismanagement and misplaced priorities.
“This government keeps talking about smart cities, but even basic traffic lights don’t work properly in Srinagar. Spending nearly ₹800 crore without a clear roadmap for Phase-II shows how directionless this project has become,” remarked a senior NC leader close to Sagar.
Urban policy analysts have meanwhile urged the administration to release a public audit of Smart City expenditures, arguing that the people of Srinagar have a right to know where the massive funds have gone. As the winter session continues, Sagar’s question has once again brought the Smart City debate into sharp public focus, raising uncomfortable questions about accountability, transparency, and whether Srinagar is truly becoming “smart” — or merely cosmetically repainted.
