SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 17: Chief Executive Officer, Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL), Dr. Basharat Qayoom, today conducted a comprehensive review of key Smart City infrastructure at Souq Market and Craft Centre, Batamaloo, the under-construction Electric Bus Charging Station at Batamaloo, and the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) at HMT.
The review focused on construction quality, timely completion of ongoing works, infrastructure maintenance, effective utilisation of technology and strengthening sustainable urban mobility across Srinagar.
During his visit to Souq Market and Craft Centre at Batamaloo, the CEO inspected the facilities and reviewed their operational status, maintenance requirements and overall upkeep. He stressed the importance of maintaining these public infrastructure assets in a functional, orderly and well-maintained condition, ensuring that the facilities serve their intended purpose efficiently and contribute to the city’s urban development objectives.
At the under-construction Electric Bus Charging Station at Batamaloo, Dr. Basharat reviewed the progress of ongoing works and took stock of the construction status, execution quality and associated infrastructure requirements. He stressed the importance of maintaining prescribed quality standards, ensuring proper coordination among the executing agencies and adhering to the stipulated timelines. He directed the concerned officers to closely monitor the pace and quality of construction, address bottlenecks promptly and ensure timely completion of the project so that the facility can be made operational to support Srinagar’s electric bus fleet and strengthen sustainable urban mobility.
Highlighting the importance of sustainable urban transportation, the CEO emphasised that the development of reliable electric bus charging infrastructure is essential for strengthening Srinagar’s public transport system and promoting cleaner mobility. He directed the concerned officers to ensure that all essential components of the charging facility are executed in accordance with prescribed standards, with due attention to quality, functionality, safety and long-term operational requirements.
At the ICCC, the CEO reviewed its functioning, monitoring mechanisms and technology-enabled operational activities. He emphasised the need to strengthen the effective utilisation of the ICCC as a central platform for integrated urban monitoring, real-time situational awareness and coordinated response to civic and infrastructure-related issues.
Dr. Basharat stressed that the full potential of Smart City technology must be translated into tangible improvements in urban management and public service delivery. He called for enhanced interdepartmental coordination, timely sharing of information and effective follow-up on issues identified through monitoring systems, with particular emphasis on improving response mechanisms and ensuring greater accountability in the delivery of civic services.
The CEO directed the concerned officers and executing agencies to ensure regular monitoring, preventive maintenance and timely rectification of deficiencies across the inspected facilities. He emphasised that the performance of Smart City infrastructure should be assessed not merely by its creation but by its sustained functionality, operational reliability and measurable contribution to public convenience.
The review reaffirmed SSCL’s focus on ensuring the timely completion of ongoing infrastructure projects, maintaining existing Smart City assets and promoting technology-driven urban governance, sustainable public transportation and responsive civic service delivery for the people of Srinagar.
The CEO was accompanied by the Joint Commissioner, Administration, SMC; Chief Engineer, SSCL; Joint Commissioner, Works, SMC; General Manager ICCC, SSCL; concerned Executive Engineers from KPDCL, Mechanical Engineering Department (MED) and other line departments; and officers of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL).
