Srinagar, Jan 12: Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL) has incurred losses of nearly ₹14 crore under the Government’s free transport scheme for women in Jammu and Kashmir since the exemption was announced.
JSCL, which operates the Smart Bus service in Jammu under the Government’s domain, is mandated to provide free travel to women passengers as part of the scheme. According to a Right to Information (RTI) reply issued by the agency, the losses reflect operational costs calculated up to December 31, 2025.
The free transport facility was announced by the NC-led Government in April last year as part of its commitments in Jammu and Kashmir. While the scheme is also operational in Kashmir, the financial impact there is yet to be assessed.
The RTI reply clarified that the losses incurred due to free travel are to be reimbursed by the Government in due course.
The disclosure was made in response to an RTI application, with the reply dated January 10. The response also detailed the progress, financial utilisation, and outcomes of projects undertaken under the Jammu Smart City Mission.
According to JSCL, 124 out of 127 approved projects under the mission have been completed, marking a completion rate of over 97 per cent. Of the ₹930 crore released for project implementation, ₹850 crore has already been utilised.
The completed projects span various sectors, including urban mobility, public safety, civic amenities, digital governance, and urban beautification. However, two projects could not be completed due to external constraints.
These include the Blue-Green Project for Ranbir Canal (Part III: Belicharana to Babilana), which was stalled due to the non-receipt of a No Objection Certificate from Army authorities, and the modernisation of Parade Sabzi Mandi, which could not proceed as local stakeholders and the Bazaar Association did not allow execution of the work.
Major initiatives completed under the mission include a multilevel parking facility at the Bus Stand, Smart Public Bicycle Sharing, junction improvements, and macadamisation of 66.94 kilometres of roads.
Public safety infrastructure was strengthened through the modernisation of Fire and Emergency Services, deployment of smart traffic policing systems, and the establishment of an Integrated Command and Control Centre.
Urban beautification projects included the Blue-Green Project for Ranbir Canal (Parts I and II), façade lighting of heritage structures such as Mubarak Mandi and Bahu Fort, development of parks and walkways, and construction of the Oceanarium at Bagh-e-Bahu.
Civic infrastructure upgrades covered schools, Anganwadi centres, libraries, old-age clubs, drainage systems, and solid waste management facilities, including garbage transfer stations and mechanised cleaning equipment.
Digital initiatives under the mission involved digitisation of legacy records, IT infrastructure upgrades, and web-based project monitoring systems.
The RTI reply also noted that the Smart City Mission has generated approximately ₹1.29 crore in revenue, primarily through static advertisement panels, variable message displays, and kiosks.
