SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has approved the continuation and repurposing of Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL) and Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) as permanent government mechanisms for urban project implementation, asset management and operation of Smart City infrastructure following the closure of the Centre’s Smart Cities Mission in March 2025.
The decision was notified by the Housing and Urban Development Department through Government Order No. 130-JK(HUD) of 2026, in pursuance of Council of Ministers Decision No. 75/09/2026 dated June 23, 2026.
According to the order, JSCL and SSCL will continue to oversee the management, operation and maintenance of assets created under the Smart Cities Mission, besides completing any pending works after the mission’s closure.
The government has also expanded the mandate of both Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), authorising them to implement projects under the Urban Challenge Fund, future Government of India schemes and projects of the Jammu and Kashmir Government. Their responsibilities will also include lifecycle asset management, advisory and project management consultancy (PMC) services, revenue-linked operation and maintenance models, and technology-enabled support to government departments and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
To ensure the long-term sustainability of revenue-generating assets developed under the Smart Cities Mission, the government has approved institutionalised revenue-sharing arrangements between the companies and the concerned departments or ULBs through government orders and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).
The order also provides for limited, time-bound transitional financial support with a phased tapering plan aimed at achieving complete operational and financial sustainability within three years, except for the policy-mandated subsidy on e-Bus ticketing.
The Housing and Urban Development Department has been authorised to issue the necessary government orders, execute MoUs and take all consequential steps required to implement the decision.
The government has further ordered the constitution of an independent Evaluation Committee to undertake an impact assessment of Smart Cities Mission projects across the Union Territory. The composition and terms of reference of the committee will be notified separately.
