Rs 1,200-Cr proposal sent to Centre; 4-lane road planned from Bhagwati Nagar to Bikram Chowk
Arvind Sharma
Jammu Tawi, July19: Development, beautification and other major infrastructure projects undertaken under the Smart City initiative are set to expand beyond the municipal limits of Jammu and Srinagar, with the Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL) and Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) now mandated to undertake projects across the respective regions.
Earlier, the two companies were restricted to carrying out development works within the municipal limits of Jammu and Srinagar. The Centre has now permitted them to undertake various development, beautification, renovation and other infrastructure projects beyond these limits, sources said.
“The proposal for various development works amounting to around Rs 1,200 crore has been submitted to the Central Government for approval,” JSCL General Manager Ashish Anand told The Northlines.
Among the major projects proposed by JSCL is the construction of a four-lane road from Bhagwati Nagar to Bikram Chowk. The proposed road is expected to ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity across Jammu city.
The projects proposed by JSCL and SSCL will be undertaken under the Urban Challenge Utility Fund.
JSCL has also proposed a multi-storey parking facility near Hari Singh Park and multi-storey buildings along the Tawi Riverfront, official sources said.
The Smart City Mission in Jammu and Kashmir was closed in March last year upon completion of its stipulated timeline. However, the Centre recently allowed the continuation and repurposing of JSCL and SSCL for undertaking development works within their respective municipal limits.
The latest decision will now enable both companies to undertake development and infrastructure projects beyond the municipal limits of Jammu and Srinagar, extending the scope of Smart City-related works across the two regions under the Urban Challenge Utility Fund.
