Chandigarh
The slow progress of the Smart City Mission was strongly questioned in the Lok Sabha by Sirsa MP Kumari Selja, who stated that 22 projects worth ₹577 crore in Karnal and Faridabad are still incomplete, even though their stipulated deadline is December 2025.
In reply to the question raised by Selja, Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu acknowledged that a total of 161 projects were approved in both cities at a cost of ₹2,136 crore. Of these, 139 projects have been completed, and ₹1,559 crore has been spent so far. The remaining 22 projects, worth around ₹577 crore, are still under construction. The minister further informed that Karnal and Faridabad together had claimed central assistance of ₹980 crore, out of which ₹921 crore has been utilized. The ministry has advised the SPV companies of both cities to ensure that all projects are completed by December 2025 under all circumstances.The city of Karnal had 117 approved projects, of which 105 projects worth ₹801 crore have been completed, while 12 projects worth ₹406 crore are still pending. Karnal has so far failed to utilize central assistance amounting to ₹59 crore. The city of Faridabad has completed 34 out of its 44 approved projects, worth ₹758 crore, while 10 projects worth ₹171 crore are still under construction. Questioning the government’s working style, Kumari Selja said, “A Smart City does not merely mean releasing funds, but ensuring transparency, accountability, and time-bound development in public interest. The BJP government’s policies have reduced this mission to incomplete projects and unanswered questions.
The MP also asked the Centre what effective steps are being taken to ensure adherence to timelines and quality standards, especially when such significant delays are occurring in an important urban development programme like the Smart City Mission.
