Completed projects under Smart Cities Mission yet to be inaugurated
The Hindu
Smart Cities Mission projects in Puducherry face delays in completion, with some yet to be commissioned despite being finished.
Several new projects taken up under the Smart Cities Mission in Puducherry are yet to be commissioned months after inauguration while a few others are dragging beyond their scheduled completion date.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs had approved various projects to the tune of ₹1,056 crore in Puducherry under the Smart City Mission in 2017. Subsequently, due to various administrative and financial reasons, the project size was scaled down to ₹612 crore.
A total of 82 projects were sanctioned under the mission, of which 57 have been completed so far.
According to official sources, though major projects, including the improvement of the Botanical Garden, reconstruction of the Rajiv Gandhi bus terminus on Maraimalai Adigal Salai, restoration of Calve College Government School and housing projects for economically weaker sections at Chinnayapuram and Kumaragurupallam have been completed, the Government is yet to put them to public use.
The restoration of the Calve College school was completed on October 26, 2024 while the reconstruction of the bus stand was completed on December 15, 2024. However, they are yet to be commissioned, and the inordinate delay has invited widespread flak from residents as well as representatives of various political parties.
While June 2024 was the initial deadline to commission the pending projects that were taken up under the Mission, the deadline was again revised to March 2025. After three extensions, the Mission ended on March 31, 2025 and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has made it clear that the respective State governments would be responsible for completing them thereafter.
“While Puducherry has received its share of funds under the Mission, there has been no progress in the execution of projects. For instance, about 95% of the work on construction of stormwater drains at Petit Canal Street and Murungapakkam have been completed. But the remaining 5% work has been dragging on for over a year,” sources said.
The 2026 World Cup draw reveals group placements as the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize is awarded to Trump in Washington, D.C.
Party leaders discuss development and welfare initiatives in Kozhikode ahead of local body elections, highlighting diverse political visions.
Debutant Beena Divakaran faces veteran candidates in the Ponnurunni East election, aiming to maintain LDF's long-standing dominance.
India and Russia sign agreements to facilitate the safe mobility of semi-skilled workers in response to labor demands.
Excitement builds for the thrilling 2025 F1 season finale in Abu Dhabi, featuring Norris, Verstappen, and Piastri vying for the title.
Telangana Rising summit purely an economic event, says CM
Veteran cricketer Paras Dogra takes on a new role as a talent scout for IPL's Punjab Kings during the SMAT.
Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy pays tribute to Jayalalithaa on her death anniversary with floral offerings and official ceremonies.
Eight red sanders smugglers arrested in Tirupati; 12 logs seized during RSASTF operation in Sanipaya forest area.
Bengaluru Police investigate Aryan Khan's alleged obscene hand gesture at a pub event, following social media video circulation.
MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta warns that PFI's influence through SDPI threatens national security and undermines democratic integrity.
The Ambassador of France to India confers the insignia of the award on the publisher and managing director of DC Books
Bengaluru commuters demand platform screen doors for safety, but high costs and engineering challenges hinder implementation on existing metro routes.