Srinagar, July 22: The District Congress Committee (DCC) Srinagar on Wednesday criticised the implementation of the Srinagar Smart City Project, alleging that the initiative has prioritised cosmetic beautification over essential civic infrastructure despite spending more than ₹792 crore since its launch in 2018.
Addressing a press conference, DCC Srinagar President Dr. Audil Farooq Mir said the project had failed to address the city’s recurring drainage, sewerage and stormwater management problems, which he described as the foundation of sustainable urban development.
He said the recent heavy rainfall, which caused widespread waterlogging in several parts of Srinagar, including Lal Chowk, Rajbagh, Bemina, Khanyar, Nowhatta and Maisuma, exposed the shortcomings of the project.
“The Smart City Mission was conceived as a comprehensive urban transformation programme, but in Srinagar it has largely been reduced to a beautification exercise,” he said.
Dr. Audil alleged that while substantial funds were spent on road resurfacing, pedestrian pathways, decorative lighting and riverfront beautification, inadequate attention was paid to upgrading underground drainage and sewerage infrastructure.
He said the recurring flooding has caused heavy losses to traders, residents and daily-wage earners, disrupting businesses, healthcare, education and normal life during every spell of heavy rain.
The Congress leader also criticised what he termed poor coordination among agencies involved in urban development, saying the lack of accountability had contributed to recurring civic failures.
Seeking greater transparency, Dr. Audil demanded an independent technical and financial audit of the Srinagar Smart City Project to examine project execution, expenditure, tendering processes and infrastructure planning.
He said the findings of the audit should be made public to ensure accountability and restore public confidence in the project.
“The people of Srinagar deserve durable infrastructure that protects lives and livelihoods, not cosmetic development that fails during predictable weather events,” he added.
