Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 29: National Conference Provincial President Rattan Lal Gupta has launched a strong attack on the Jammu Smart City Project, demanding a structural audit of the funds spent and accountability from those responsible.
He said the recent floods have exposed the shortcoming of the much-publicised project, which failed to provide even basic protection to the people.
Gupta alleged that crores of rupees were spent on surface-level beautification works while essential infrastructure collapsed in the very first spell of the heavy rain.
He said the so-called smart projects were executed without proper groundwork or planning, turning into a superficial exercise that ignored the real needs of the city.
According to him, choking of drains and encroachments carried out under the guise of development directly contributed to the flooding and widespread hardship faced by the residents.
Calling the situation a betrayal of the public trust, Gupta said the floods have raised serious questions about the credibility of the Smart City initiative.
He termed it not just poor execution but also a case of mismanagement of public money, demanding that every rupee spent is accounted for.
Stressing that people deserve answers, he sought a transparent investigation into the entire project and strict action against those responsible.
He said the authorities must ensure that such projects deliver urban development rather than empty promises.
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