The Jammu Smart City project has seen an expenditure of over ₹800 crore over the past six years, as confirmed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the Assembly. The Chief Minister, who also heads the Housing and Urban Development Department, stated that no major complaints have been reported regarding the completed projects under this initiative.
₹815.37 Crore Utilized for Jammu Smart City Development
According to Omar Abdullah, the total expenditure on Jammu Smart City projects, including administrative and office expenses (A&OE), stands at ₹815.37 crore. This was disclosed in response to an unstarred question posed by BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa.
Breaking down the year-wise expenditure:
- 2019-20 – ₹52 crore
- 2020-21 – ₹75.18 crore
- 2021-22 – ₹128.05 crore
- 2022-23 – ₹196.21 crore
- 2023-24 – ₹225.63 crore
- 2024-25 (Till Date) – ₹138.30 crore
In total, ₹830.98 crore has been released for Jammu Smart City projects, of which ₹815.37 crore has already been utilized.
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The Chief Minister assured that while no significant complaints have emerged regarding completed projects, minor issues raised by the public were promptly resolved.
Among the reported concerns:
- Digital Door Number (DDN) Plates: 400 complaints were lodged regarding the installation of unique geo-tagged door number plates for households and commercial properties. Out of these, 350 issues have been resolved.
- E-Bus Operations: 300 complaints were recorded related to ticketing, driver or conductor misbehavior, and service efficiency. Penalties were imposed in 285 cases against defaulters, including agencies and individuals.
- Infrastructure Concerns: Several complaints were addressed regarding construction and maintenance issues, such as:
- Table-top crossings
- Waterlogging at Panama Chowk
- Drainage problems in Gandhi Nagar and Bharat Nagar near Poonch House
- Malfunctioning decorative light poles
- Installation of poles in front of shops at Residency Road
- Traffic disruptions caused by construction work at Indira Chowk and Raghunath Bazar
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All these issues were taken into account and successfully resolved.
The Jammu Smart City project has significantly transformed the city, with over ₹800 crore invested in infrastructure, transportation, and digital initiatives. While minor grievances arose, the administration ensured swift resolutions, reinforcing the government’s commitment to urban development. As funds continue to be utilized efficiently, Jammu is progressing towards becoming a model smart city in India.
