Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Jan 11: Under the Government’s free transport service for women in Jammu and Kashmir, Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL) has incurred losses amounting to Rs 14 crore since the exemption was announced.
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JSCL operates the Smart Bus service in Jammu and functions under the Government’s domain, which mandates free travel for women passengers under the scheme.
According to a Right to Information (RTI) reply issued by JSCL, the amount represents operational losses calculated up to December 31, 2025.
The Smart Bus service, operated under JSCL, provides free travel to women-a measure announced by the NC-led Government as one of its commitments in J&K in April last year.
While the free service is also operational in Kashmir, the estimated cost incurred there is yet to be ascertained.
The RTI reply further stated that compensation for the losses arising from the free service is 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, which also provides details on project execution, financial utilisation, and the overall outcomes of the Jammu Smart City Mission.
According to the RTI reply issued by the JSCL, the agency has completed 124 of the 127 approved projects under the Smart City Mission, achieving a completion rate of over 97 per cent.
The RTI reply stated that of the Rs 930 crore released for project implementation, Rs 850 crore has already been utilised.
As per JSCL, the completed projects span multiple sectors, including urban mobility, public safety, civic amenities, digital governance and urban beautification.
The reply noted that 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, according to JSCL, was stalled due to the non-receipt of a No Objection Certificate from Army authorities.
The RTI reply further stated that the modernisation of Parade Sabzi Mandi could not proceed as local stakeholders and members of the Bazaar Association did not permit execution of the work.
Major initiatives completed under the mission, as per JSCL, include the multilevel parking facility at the Bus Stand, Smart Public Bicycle Sharing, junction improvements and macadamisation of 66.94 kilometres of roads.
Public safety measures were 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, the reply said.
Urban beautification works, according to JSCL, include 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.
The RTI reply added that civic infrastructure upgrades covered schools, Anganwadi centres, libraries, old-age clubs, drainage networks 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, JSCL said.
The Smart City Mission has generated approximately Rs 1.29 crore in revenue, primarily through static advertisement panels, variable message displays and kiosks, the RTI reply noted.
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