Smart city projects in limbo, NBCC selected to execute projects reluctant to take up work in the U.T.

Puducherry Smart City projects in limbo due to govt delay. Navaratna CPSE NBCC (India) Ltd. issued LOA for 5 projects but unable to start work due to govt delay. Centre expressed displeasure over poor implementation. Projects include Goubert market, Botanical Garden, Grand Canal, eco-tourism, intra-city bus terminus, mall, cycle track, traffic mgmt. system & command control centre. Puducherry lagging behind other cities in Smart City Mission.

Despite cleared by the Puducherry Smart City Development Limited (PSCDL) Board, several projects proposed under the Smart Cities Mission have been in limbo owing to the inordinate delay in laying the foundation stones for the projects.

The fate of the projects now hangs in the balance as the Puducherry government is yet to take a call for finalising the dates for laying the foundation stone for the projects.

Official sources said NBCC (India) Limited, the Navaratna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE), selected to plan, design and execute a few major projects has now expressed its reluctance to implement a few projects due to the delay.

The company had issued Letter of Acceptance (LOA) on May 25, 2023 for five major projects: development and improvement of Goubert market on 2.9 acres at ₹36 crore, reconstruction of Pudumai building at ₹3.3 crore, development of the Grand Canal at ₹27.50 crore, development and improvement of the Botanical Garden at ₹15.75 crore and development of eco-tourism within the urban forest area in Swadeshi Mills at ₹5.25 crore.

However, the company has not been able to take up the works except Pudumai building due to the delay on the part of the government in laying the foundation stones for the projects. “Though the contractors are ready to start work on the projects, the work has not commenced. As a result, it is very difficult to complete the work within the stipulated time,” NBCC (India) Limited said.

NBCC is now reluctant to continue with two major projects — construction of intra-city bus terminus along with commercial space on East Coast Road and construction of a mall at the old jail complex in the city, sources said.

“Though the intra-city bus terminus falls outside the Area Based Development (ABD), the work was awarded to NBCC India Limited after the government decided to take up the work with its own funds. But the project now hangs fire due to the delay in laying the foundation stone. Similarly, the fate of the mall project is also stuck in limbo as the government is yet to take a call on its proposed use. The government is planning to construct temporary sheds for accommodating vendors evacuated from the Goubert Market. However, a final decision is being awaited,” sources said.