National Conference Chief Spokesperson and Zadibal MLA Tanvir Sadiq criticized the Srinagar Smart City Project for being poorly conceived and lacking a long-term urban planning vision. He argued for the integration of stormwater and sewerage systems and highlighted limited progress in Downtown Srinagar, where roads were narrowed and footpaths widened without sufficient planning. Sadiq emphasized that a smart city requires effective sewage and drainage systems, not just cosmetic changes, and questioned the utility of public bicycles introduced under the initiative, noting many remain unused. He also discussed the Combined Competitive Examination.
Sharp Political And Civic Critique
Procedures, asserting that his party’s stance is clear and emphasizes timely approvals, while accusing others of focusing on mockery rather than tangible constituency issues National Conference leader and MLA Tanvir Sadiq has launched a sharp political and civic critique of the Srinagar Smart City project, raising fundamental questions about urban planning priorities, transparency, and the lived reality of residents in Jammu and Kashmir’s summer capital. His remarks have reignited a broader debate around whether the Smart Cities Mission, as implemented in Srinagar, has remained true to its stated objectives or has drifted away from citizen-centric development.
Tanvir Sadiq’s criticism is rooted in what he describes as a visible disconnect between planning documents and on-ground execution. While the Srinagar Smart City project was envisioned to modernize infrastructure, improve mobility, enhance public spaces, and upgrade civic amenities, Sadiq argues that the city today reflects fragmented planning and reactive decision-making rather than a coherent urban vision. He has pointed out that frequent road diggings, unfinished works, and traffic bottlenecks have caused prolonged inconvenience to residents and businesses alike, undermining public trust in the project’s intent. According to him, development cannot be termed.
Srinagar’s Diverse Neighbourhoods
Smart” if it disrupts daily life without delivering timely and tangible benefits A major concern raised by the NC leader relates to the lack of meaningful public consultation in the planning process. Sadiq has stated that Srinagar’s diverse neighbourhoods, heritage zones, and ecological sensitivities demand a participatory approach rather than a one-size-fits-all model. He believes that decisions affecting historic markets, residential areas, and key mobility corridors were taken without adequately engaging local stakeholders, traders’ bodies, urban planners, or civil society groups. This, he argues, has resulted in solutions that appear visually impressive on paper but fail to.
Address the practical needs of the people who use these spaces every day Another dimension of Sadiq’s critique focuses on prioritisation within the Smart City framework. He has questioned whether resources are being allocated to projects that genuinely improve quality of life or merely enhance cosmetic appeal. While façade lighting, beautification drives, and selective road upgrades have been highlighted by authorities, issues such as drainage, solid waste management, affordable housing, and pedestrian safety continue to persist in many parts of Srinagar. Sadiq contends that a smart city should first ensure functional basics before investing in high-visibility projects that offer limited everyday utility.
Infrastructure Development Sadiq
Environmental sustainability has also emerged as a key point in Tanvir Sadiq’s remarks. Srinagar’s fragile ecosystem, marked by wetlands, lakes, and flood-prone zones, requires careful planning that integrates climate resilience into infrastructure development. Sadiq has warned that unplanned construction, excessive concretisation, and disruption of natural drainage channels could aggravate flooding risks and environmental degradation. He has stressed that smart city planning must align with ecological realities rather than override them, especially in a region already vulnerable to climate-induced events. Information on regional administrative.
From a political standpoint, Sadiq’s criticism reflects the National Conference’s broader narrative on governance in Jammu and Kashmir. He has positioned the Srinagar Smart City issue as an example of centralized decision-making that sidelines elected representatives and local voices. According to him, urban development should be accountable to the people through their representatives, not driven solely by bureaucratic or technocratic frameworks. This stance resonates with the NC’s historical emphasis on decentralisation and grassroots governance The impact on local businesses and livelihoods has been another focal point of Sadiq’s statements.
Smart City Transport Development
Prolonged construction work, changing traffic patterns, and restricted access to commercial hubs have reportedly affected shopkeepers, transport operators, and small vendors. Sadiq has argued that economic vitality is a core component of a smart city and that development (Urban) models must minimise disruption while maximising long-term gains. Without careful phasing and coordination, he warns, infrastructure projects risk alienating the very communities they are meant to serve Sadiq has also drawn attention to the issue of transparency and timelines. He has questioned delays in project completion, cost escalations, and the absence of clear public communication.
Regarding milestones and outcomes. In his view, citizens deserve regular updates and accessible data on how funds are being utilised and what benefits are expected. Transparency, he maintains, is not just a governance ideal but a practical necessity for building public confidence in large urban initiatives The broader Smart Cities Mission was launched with the promise of leveraging technology, data-driven governance, and innovative planning to transform urban India. However, Sadiq’s critique suggests that in Srinagar’s case, the emphasis may have tilted too heavily toward infrastructure without sufficient integration of social, cultural, and environmental dimensions.
Better Execution, And Deeper Public Engagement
He has called for a course correction that re-centres the project around inclusivity, sustainability, and practicality rather than symbolic achievements. Comparative perspectives on the mission’s objectives can be In concluding his remarks, Tanvir Sadiq has not rejected the idea of a smart city outright but has instead called for smarter planning, better execution, and deeper public engagement. He has urged authorities to pause, review, and recalibrate ongoing works in consultation with residents and experts. According to him, Srinagar’s unique identity and challenges require a customised approach that respects its history while preparing it for the future.
His comments have sparked renewed discussion across political and civic circles, highlighting that urban development is as much about governance and trust as it is about concrete and technology As the debate continues, the Srinagar Smart City project stands at a (India) critical juncture. Whether the concerns raised by leaders like Tanvir Sadiq translate into policy adjustments remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the conversation around smart urban development in Kashmir is evolving, with growing emphasis on accountability, inclusivity, and long-term resilience rather than short-term optics alone. The criticism comes at a time when Srinagar continues.
Q1. What did Tanvir Sadiq say about the Srinagar Smart City project?
He criticised poor planning, lack of public consultation, and inconvenience caused to residents.
Q2. Which party does Tanvir Sadiq represent?
He is a senior leader of the National Conference (NC).
Q3. What are the main issues raised in the criticism?
Traffic disruption, delayed projects, weak execution, and misplaced development priorities.
Q4. Is Tanvir Sadiq against the Smart City concept?
No, he supports development but demands smarter, people-centric planning.
Q5. Who implements the Srinagar Smart City project?
The project is implemented by Srinagar Smart City Limited under the Smart Cities Mission.
