There are significant limitations that present themselves when dealing with the development of an infrastructure in an area where there has historically been a great deal of bureaucracy and many delays in construction, and yet the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has shown that it can successfully run a project, as exemplified by over 97% (281 of the 288) of the Smart Cities Mission projects completed so far.
As such, the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is launching a completely new narrative with 97.6% of their Smart Cities Mission projects complete.
The total number of completed Smart Cities Mission Projects provides evidence of the Government of India’s Support for Jammu and Kashmir’s Transition into the Developmental Mainstream of India, as well as the collaboration by the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir with the Government of India.
One of the original goals of the Smart Cities Mission was to improve urban living through technology, sustainability, and the creation of citizen-based plans. This goal is now being fulfilled on a day-to-day basis, street by street, in every Smart City in Jammu and Kashmir.
There are two Smart Cities within Jammu and Kashmir, Jammu, and Srinagar and all completed Smart Cities Mission projects have been located in and around both cities. They will benefit all areas of urban life.
Everyone will benefit from the completed projects ranging from the addition of smart street lights, to a revitalization of the public space, to improvements in the lighting of the streets, all of which can be seen and felt.
Smart City Projects across Jammu and Kashmir have developed Integrated Command and Control Centers (ICCC’s), which serve as the brains of the smart city with real time data used to maximize the efficiency of traffic management, municipal service delivery, and emergency responses.
The brilliance of these projects is that they are also providing residents with an improved quality of life.
Other examples include smart parking solutions, upgraded sewerage and drainage systems, pathways that are pedestrian-friendly, and public spaces with access to WiFi, reflecting a governance model that listens and delivers.
With a long history of instability and the desire for growth, this infrastructure improvement creates a foundation for a new wave of opportunity, improved convenience, and increased civic pride.
Building such a large variety of projects while faced with the geographical and logistical challenges that exist in the region, represents the resilience of the local area.
Additionally, it demonstrates the administrative machinery’s ability to implement plans, with accuracy and responsiveness.
Additionally, this high completion percentage, is a strong response to scepticism and marks a continued commitment of Jammu & Kashmir to move forward with self-assurance.
