SRINAGAR: Chairing a high-level meeting on the Housing and Urban Development Department’s projects under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah examined proposals aimed at strengthening urban liveability, conservation and tourism infrastructure.
Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Additional Chief Secretary Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary Finance Santosh D Vaidya, Commissioner Secretary HUDD Mandeep Kaur, and senior officers from Jammu and Srinagar Smart City Limited, LCMA and district administration were present.
Reviewing the plans, the Chief Minister said the proposed projects could reshape city spaces, prioritising people-centric development and environmental sustainability. He directed that legislators and local stakeholders be involved from the outset to avoid implementation delays. Departments were instructed to submit periodic progress reports and flag any bottlenecks for quick resolution.
Earlier, CEOs of the Smart City Limiteds presented detailed project outlines funded under SASCI.
The CEO, Jammu Smart City Limited, briefed the meeting about initiatives to address heritage degradation, traffic congestion, drainage gaps and unplanned urban growth. Proposed interventions include multi-level parking facilities at Parade Ground, Mubarak Mandi, Jewel Chowk, Gandhi Nagar–Warehouse and Tanga Stand–Gumat Bazaar, along with utility upgrades and beautification works. A Temple Corridor linking Bawe Mata, Har Ki Pauri and Mahamaya is planned, besides a model vegetable mandi at Sabzi Mandi, a shopping complex at Indira Chowk and a clock tower at Parade Chowk.
The CEO, Srinagar Smart City Limited, outlined a major proposal for the redevelopment of the Nigeen Lake waterfront. A 4.5-km lake frontage will be opened for continuous public access, with upgraded ghats, improvements at Cherry Park and enhanced amenities designed to bolster tourism and neighbourhood liveability. Comprehensive precinct redevelopment is planned around the lake.
He also detailed restoration efforts in the Walled City under the Qalai Andar project, including conserved heritage structures, improved public spaces, creation of green areas and restoration of historic gateways such as Kathi Darwaza, Sangeen Darwaza and Bacchi Darwaza. Public spaces at Devi Angan will also be upgraded.
In Anantnag, proposals include a Greenfield development near KP Road with riverfront rejuvenation, an eco-park, city park, cycle tracks, gazebos, kiosks and a smart library near Aaripat Nallah.
