Jammu, Srinagar Smart City lags behind: ₹794 Cr allocated,only ₹726 Cr utilized

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir's Smart Cities—Jammu and Srinagar—are yet to meet their development targets under the Smart Cities Mission, according to a statement made by Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Tokhan Sahu, in the Rajya Sabha.
Of the ₹794 crore allocated to the two cities, only ₹726 crore has been utilized as of November 2024.
A question was raised in Rajya Sabha over the definition of a Smart City under the 100 Smart City project; the details of funds allocated, released, and utilized for the development of 100 Smart Cities in the country since the inception of the Smart City project till date, year-wise and Smart City-wise; the targeted dates by when the development of 100 Smart Cities will be completed, city-wise; and the reasons for the delay in the development of Smart Cities, Smart City-wise?
The Minister highlighted that work orders were issued for multiple projects in both cities, but delays due to land acquisition challenges, legal clearances, and resource availability have hindered progress. So far, Jammu has utilized ₹385 crore out of the ₹416 crore allocated, while Srinagar has spent ₹341 crore of its ₹379 crore allocation.
Under the Smart Cities Mission (SCM), the Central Government has a total outlay of ₹48,000 crore for the 100 cities. As of 15.11.2024, the Central Government has released ₹47,225 crore to States/Union Territories under SCM, out of which ₹44,626 crore (i.e. 94% of the total Central share released) have been utilized, the minister informed.
Despite these challenges, the government remains committed to the mission, extending the deadline for the completion of Smart City projects nationwide to March 31, 2025, he said.