SRINAGAR: The Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) Authorities today issued a clarification in response to the news article by a local Urdu daily on the pace of work by Srinagar Smart City (SSC).

As per an official handout issued here, it has been given out that the SSCL is implementing 168 projects of which 90 are completed amounting to approximately 450Cr, and 68 projects are ongoing worth another 490Cr.

Downtown is an extremely important area in Srinagar and SSCL is currently implementing public space improvement and street improvement projects of length more than 25km, among other illumination and facade improvement projects.

The mentioned projects of Dalgate Gojwara road is being implemented at a cost of 25 Cr and the street improvements in Bohri Kadal, Maharaj Bazaar and Ali Kadal area are worth 50 Cr. All of the above projects are more than 60% complete and shall be completed before June 2024, read the statement.

Habba Kadal was recently inaugurated as one of the flagship projects in downtown Srinagar. ‘All the ongoing projects are happening as per schedule and are expected to be completed before June 2024’ was mentioned in the official handout.

SSCL works have been meticulously planned and implemented diligently with work going on in the day as well as the night in two shifts. The comprehensive infrastructure works are being carried out in the downtown that includes not just road surface, but rationalizing drainage, sewerage, communications and electricity, which in the long run shall make the life of the residents easier and comfortable.

Infrastructure works may cause some inconvenience to shoppers and residents as underground works require digging. But the works are proceeding on time and SSCL is creating better footpaths, on street parking, signage, proper drain works, road works, lighting, and geometric improvements, added the statement.