The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has ramped up its investigation into alleged financial irregularities and disproportionate assets linked to the Srinagar Smart City Project (SSCP), conducting extensive raids across multiple locations in Srinagar and its outskirts.
Reliable sources informed Kashmir News Trust that the ACB recently raided several locations, targeting senior officials of Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL). The searches are part of an ongoing probe into accusations of corruption and the accumulation of assets beyond known sources of income.
Insiders within the ACB revealed that the raids are connected to an investigation into financial mismanagement within the SSCL, which has been under scrutiny for several months. Investigators are focusing on whether funds allocated for various infrastructure and development initiatives under the Smart City project were misused or siphoned off.
Launched as part of India’s Smart Cities Mission, the Srinagar Smart City Project aims to modernize urban infrastructure, enhance public services, and improve the quality of life for residents. A total of Rs 3,000 crore has been allocated to the project, which includes 137 initiatives such as road development, IT-enabled services, heritage conservation, urban mobility, and sanitation.
While the project has seen several initiatives aimed at transforming Srinagar’s urban landscape, allegations of financial mismanagement have overshadowed its progress. Officials are accused of manipulating contracts, inflating costs, and approving substandard work, in violation of established guidelines.
Concerns have also been raised over the transparency of procurement processes and the accountability of senior officials overseeing the project.
Civil society groups have urged the administration to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation.
“Accountability is crucial when it comes to public funds. Any official found guilty of corruption must face strict legal action,” said a prominent activist.
[KNT]
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