In a bid to accelerate the progress of Smart City projects in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, has directed officials to expedite the completion of ongoing projects within the shortest possible time frame. The Chief Secretary conveyed these instructions during a meeting held at the Civil Secretariat to review the development of smart cities in the region.
The meeting was attended by various officials, including the Principal Secretaries of the Housing and Urban Development Department and the Education Department, the Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu, Commissioner Secretaries, Chief Engineers, and CEOs of the Srinagar Smart City Ltd (SSCL) and Jammu Smart City Ltd (JSCL), among others.
Dr. Mehta conducted a comprehensive review of the ongoing projects in the twin cities as part of the Smart City Mission and set deadlines for each project. He expressed his dissatisfaction with any undue delays in project execution and stressed the importance of adhering to the prescribed timelines.
During the review, the Chief Secretary specifically highlighted the need to accelerate work on the Nishat precinct, Shalimar Canal, Foreshore Road, Lal Chowk, and other important areas in Srinagar. He urged officials to expedite the execution of projects under the Smart City Mission and aimed to complete some of the pending works within the next 20 days.
Emphasizing the significance of Lal Chowk as the city’s center, Dr. Mehta stressed the urgent need to complete ongoing projects in the area due to the high influx of tourists. He suggested that work should be carried out in multiple shifts to ensure its timely completion.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed the progress of the Apsara Road project in Jammu, as well as other initiatives under the Smart City Mission. He directed officials to fully complete the Apsara Road project by August 15, emphasizing its importance in enhancing the area’s aesthetics and uplifting the social and economic conditions of the local population.
Furthermore, Dr. Mehta reviewed various projects related to the floriculture department and urged officials to ensure their timely completion. He highlighted that the completion of these projects would enhance the beauty of both cities and other tourist destinations in Jammu and Kashmir.
By issuing these directives, the Chief Secretary aims to expedite the completion of Smart City projects and accelerate the development of Jammu and Kashmir’s urban infrastructure. The timely execution of these initiatives is essential to enhance the overall appeal of the region and attract more tourists, ultimately benefiting the local economy.
