Investigations about corrupt practices under the Srinagar Smart City Limited Project are now in full swing, with ground reports exposing questionable activities in several areas, including Bohri Kadal, Zaina Kadal, Maharaj Ganj, Aali Kadal, Saraf Kadal, and Gada Kocha.
At Gada Kocha, the allegations are particularly striking. Divari stones previously erected under earlier projects were reportedly chiseled or polished to give them the appearance of newly installed material.
In some cases, plaster was applied over Divari stones to manipulate bills and extract payments for work that had already been completed in the past.
Reports also reveal that existing materials such as tin sheets and wooden logs were replaced under the guise of upgrading infrastructure.
However, the replaced materials mysteriously disappeared, raising concerns about their misappropriation. Insiders told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that there is no trace of the old raw materials, suggesting possible connivance between officials and contractors.
Adding to the controversy, locals reported that substandard methods were used in certain areas. Instead of properly finishing house and shop walls as specified, paint was applied directly without preparatory work, compromising the durability and quality of the renovations.
“My appeal to ACB is to test the wooden materials used in the project, particularly to verify if deodar wood, as specified in project guidelines, was indeed utilized. The wooden work needs to be tested to ensure compliance with the prescribed standards,” said a local resident of Zaina Kadal.
Many locals believe that the irregularities point to collusion between officials overseeing the project and contractors executing the work. The disappearance of old materials, use of substandard finishes, and the apparent inflation of bills suggest that corruption may be deeply entrenched.
“This project was supposed to bring positive change to Srinagar, but it seems to be benefiting only a select few,” commented a shopkeeper from Maharaj Ganj.
An official from ACB assured the public that investigations are progressing swiftly, with efforts to identify and penalize those responsible for any misconduct.
Meanwhile, public trust in the project remains shaken, and calls for stricter oversight of ongoing and future works grow louder. [KNT]