98% funds utilised on execution of projects in Srinagar: SSCL

Srinagar, Oct 13: The Srinagar Smart City Limited (SMCL) has utilised 90 percent of the funds on the execution of the Smart City projects till date.

As per the official figures, the SSCL has utilised Rs 670 crores out of the available Rs 680 crores for the Smart City projects while no new projects were planned for implementation as of now.

The details about the completion of projects and the funds utilised on these projects were sought by M M Shuja under RTI Application.

As per the official details, the SSCL has set the deadline for majority of the projects to be completed within this year. However, about the drainage system, the SSCL has stated that the drainage work construction and repairs in Srinagar was primarly managed by the Urban Environmental Engineering Department (UEED) and the drainage circle of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC)

"Srinagar Smart City Limited has only laid out sewage pipes in most of its projects for future connections to the sewage treatment plants but it does not directly oversee drainage construction or repairs," the official document reads.

Regarding the dismantling of footpaths during the execution of the Smart City projects, the SSCL has stated that only the old and dilapidated footpaths were dismantled for safety concerns.

"SSCL is currently focused on completing the ongoing projects as per the smart cities mission guidelines. As of now, no new projects are being planned for implementation," the official document reads.

About the pace of projects in old city Srinagar, the official document has revealed that out of 10 projects only five have been completed so far while the execution work on other projects is still going on.

Meanwhile, the SSCL has stated that it has generated a revenue of Rs 75 lakhs from 14 parking places including eight off-street locations and six on-street parking locations established by Smart City Limited.