Ludhiana: In four years, the municipal corporation completed only seven of the 47 projects under the Smart City mission.
With the state government yet to release its share, Ludhiana Smart City Limited (LSCL) is struggling with fund crunch.
During a meeting to review Smart City projects at MC Zone D office on Monday, Congress MP Ravneet Bittu expressed dissatisfaction over the work pace and said the same projects were being listed since 2017. When told about the paucity of funds, he assured to get Rs 50 crore released from the state government, so that another grant, which is above Rs 100 crore, could be taken from the Centre.
The officials said LSCL undertook 47 projects worth Rs 1,133.67 crore. Of these, seven projects of Rs 18.59 crore were completed, 13 of Rs 383.42 crore were under execution and 17 of Rs 539.01 crore were under the tendering process. Besides, detailed project reports (DPRs) of 10 projects of Rs 221.80 crore were being prepared for approval.
The MP said, “Shortage of funds is a matter of concern. The grant came from the Centre, but as the state had not given its share, the amount did not get transferred to Smart City kitty. I have asked the finance secretary to release the funds. We have asked for Rs 50 crore at least and once this amount is released, we will request for more grant from the Union government.”
The MP stressed on completion of a few projects before the assembly elections due in 2022. He asked the officials of MC as well as AECOM, consultant company for Smart City projects, to complete construction and demolition waste management plant, bio-remediation of legacy waste of MC, construction of multi-level parking at Feroze Gandhi Market, road over-bridge/road under-bridge at Pakhowal Road, sports park at Jainpur, static compactors, chain link fencing, beautification around Buddha Nullah, sports infrastructure and carcass utilization projects, among others.
He asked the officials to involve industrial houses in beautification of the entry points of the city.
A Smart City mission director, Sanjay Goel, said, “Working on many projects at a time affects the net result. Even the multi-level car parking in Feroze Gandhi market, which is an important project for the city, could not be constructed. Unless key issues are not dealt with, the city cannot become smart.”