CS reviews implementation of Smart City Mission in J&K

Jammu: The Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta Thursday chaired a meeting to review the progress of the Smart City Mission in Jammu and Kashmir.
Administrative Secretary Housing &UD, Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu divisions and Chief Executive Officers of Jammu Smart City Limited and Srinagar Smart City Limited participated in the meeting.
CEO, SSCL informed that out of 137 projects to be executed under the project, 42 projects have been completed while 35 projects are ongoing. Out of the remaining projects, 23 projects have been tendered out while in respect of 47 projects, detailed project reports are being prepared.
Giving details of the heritage sites being developed under Smart City Mission, CEO, SSCL informed that Khanka-i-mosque, Naqshband Sahib, Raghunath temple, Saint Luke’s church and Jamia masjid are being developed to leverage the heritage tourist potential of the area.
Further, beautification drive underneath Jehangir chowk-Rambagh flyover is also underway at a cost of Rs. 0.68 cr.
It was further informed that integrated command and control centre is being set up under the Smart City Mission at a cost of Rs. 48.11 cr.
This will help in the development of property development approval system. PS, U&DD informed that under the project, software applications have been installed and installation of hardware will be completed and the project made functional by 31st December, 2021.
It was informed that 2 lakh properties have been mapped so far and mapping of all the properties will be completed by April 2022.
CEO, SSCL further informed that an intelligent traffic management system will also be taken up for execution at a cost of Rs. 35 cr in Srinagar city. This will enable smooth traffic management in the city and help reduce travel time for the residents of the city.
The CEO informed that testing and calibration of various junction points is being done andthe project execution will be expedited.
The Chief Secretary expressed concern at the delay in the execution of the projects saying that even after 4 years of commencement, many projects are far from completion.
Dr Mehta asked the department to develop the entire ensemble of the surroundings along with the heritage sites in the downtown Srinagar to create real aesthetic impact for the visitors.
“If one or two heritage sites are developed in isolation and its ambience remains underdeveloped, this will not lead to any positive gains from the perspective of development of heritage tourism potential of the area,” he added.
He also emphasised on alternate routes in Srinagar otherwise the real heritage potential of the heritage sites in the downtown Srinagar will remain untapped.
The Chief Secretary asked the development to look at all the different projects under the canopy of Smart Project Mission in totality and think of ways in which they can be dovetailed for maximum sensual/visual impact.
He advised the department to fix timelines for each of the ongoing as well the project that are yet to be taken up and work earnestly to achieve those timelines.
The Chief Secretary also directed Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir to coordinate with R&B department and SMC in ensuring that the shrubs/plantation on the road sides and in the partition of the roads are regularly pruned.
Dr Mehta directed the department to ensure that riverfront beyond Hatrick point on River Jehlum is developed and beautified by planting flowers on the slopes on the either sides of the river front.
Giving details of the progress under Smart city Project, CEO, JSCL informed that out of 133 projects to be completed under the Scheme, 40 projects have been completed while 49 projects are in varying stages of completion.
It was further informed that 22 projects have been tendered while remaining 22 projects will be tendered by 31st December, 2021.
CEO, JSCL, informed that road improvement project from Dogra Chowk to KC Chowk at a cost is going on and is expected to be completed by 15th July, 2022.
4 water curtains under this project will be installed under the different fly over columns in the city. It was informed that one water curtain has been set up while the remaining 3 will be set up within a month.
An integrated command and control centre at a cost of Rs 30 cr on the analogy of the one being set up in Srinagar city is also being set up in Jammu city.
A contract agreement with Bharat Electronics Centre has been signed and the project will be completed by September, 2022.
It was further informed that IT based smart parking system for the city on PPP basis is being set up at a cost of Rs 9 cr.
This will integrate all the roadside parking sites as well as existing parking sites and provide all information in one app to the users. It was informed that 33 roads have been identified where these smart parking sites will come up.
Jammu Smart public Bicycle Sharing System is being set up at a project cost of Rs 3.51 cr. This project will provide facility of dedicated cycle tracks to nearly 800 bicycles with around 120 docking stations covering 8-12 bicycle stands in the city.
It was further informed that facade lighting/illumination of Bahu Fort Complex and Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex is being done under the Mission at a cost of Rs 2.25 cr and 3.18 cr respectively.
The Chief Secretary directed the department to expedite the execution of projects under the Smart City Mission by endeavouring to finish the works within the set timelines.
He directed the department to ensure that the inputs of the Bazaar associations are duly considered in the execution of all the projects in the old city.
Dr Mehta directed that facade illumination of Mubarak Mandi complex should be completed by 31st December, 2021.
Stating that Batmalloo bus stand is in bad condition, the Chief Secretary asked the department to ensure urgent submission of the proposals to Government of India.