Saqib Rather
Srinagar, June 27: Amid growing public dissatisfaction over recurring urban problems despite massive public investment, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered an independent third-party audit of the Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) project to examine its execution, expenditure and overall impact.
The decision was taken during a recent Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and is being viewed as a significant move towards reviewing one of the Valley’s biggest urban infrastructure initiatives. The Smart City project, launched under the Centre’s flagship Smart Cities Mission, has involved investments worth thousands of crores over the past several years.
According to official sources, the audit will assess whether the project achieved its intended objectives and whether public funds were utilised in a transparent and efficient manner. The review will cover financial expenditure, quality of construction, contractor performance, adherence to approved project plans and the status of completed as well as pending works.
“The government wants an objective assessment of what was promised and what has actually been delivered. The exercise is aimed at ensuring accountability and identifying gaps wherever they exist,” a senior government official said on condition of anonymity.
The move comes against the backdrop of increasing criticism from residents, traders and civil society groups over persistent civic issues, including waterlogging, traffic congestion and an acute shortage of parking spaces, despite years of infrastructure works across Srinagar.
Large stretches of the city have witnessed prolonged construction activity under the Smart City programme, including road redesigning, pedestrian-friendly corridors, riverfront development, cycle tracks, beautification projects, drainage improvements and public space redevelopment. While many areas have undergone a visible facelift, critics argue that fundamental civic challenges continue to affect daily life.
National Conference Chief Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar welcomed the government’s decision, describing it as a step towards fixing accountability.
“The third-party audit will establish the facts about the implementation of the Smart City project. The people deserve to know whether the commitments made under the mission were fulfilled and whether public money was spent effectively,” Dar said.
Officials said the independent agency will also evaluate whether the city’s flood mitigation and drainage infrastructure, which formed an important component of the original Smart City proposal, has performed as envisaged.
Urban planning experts believe the audit could help identify deficiencies in project planning and implementation while providing a roadmap for corrective measures.
“The review should not be treated merely as a financial audit. It must evaluate whether the infrastructure created is sustainable, functional and capable of addressing the city’s long-term urban challenges,” said an urban development expert familiar with Smart City projects.
The audit assumes added significance as Srinagar Smart City Limited is already under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in connection with alleged irregularities in certain civil works. Earlier this year, the ACB filed a chargesheet against several individuals linked to the execution of the project, keeping questions over accountability firmly in public focus.
Officials maintained that the findings of the independent audit will help the government determine whether corrective measures, administrative action or policy changes are required to ensure better implementation of future urban development projects. The third-party review is expected to begin shortly, with its findings likely to shape the next phase of Srinagar’s urban development strategy.
