The Estimates Committee of the Legislative Assembly has raised concerns over the site selection and quality of work at the Smart City Project in the state capital.
On Thursday, the committee inspected various project sites before highlighting irregularities.
The inspection was led by committee chairman Ajay Vishnoi, accompanied by MLAs Omprakash Dhurve, Rajesh Verma, Bhagwandas Sabnani, Abhay Mishra, and Dinesh Jain Bose. They also reviewed the Bhopal Metro Project, expressing satisfaction with its progress but pushing for operations to begin by August 15.
One of the key issues identified was waterlogging in the underground parking facility at TT Nagar Dussehra Maidan. The entry and exit points around the maidan are encroached upon, making access difficult. Scrap dealers and auto garages have obstructed plans to construct an 18-foot-wide road, raising concerns about urban planning.
Shops built for small vendors, each costing around Rs 8 lakh, remain largely unoccupied, with 75% still vacant two years after allotment. The committee questioned why a congested area like New Market was chosen for Smart City development instead of a more open location, as seen in Naya Raipur. The exclusion of local MPs and MLAs from project committees and the inclusion of municipal and BDA works in the Smart City scheme also came under scrutiny.
The committee’s report will be presented in the Assembly’s Budget Session. Meanwhile, the committee was satisfied with the Bhopal Metro Project’s priority corridor. Chairman Ajay Vishnoi and MLA Bhagwandas Sabnani instructed officials to commence metro services in Bhopal and Indore by August 15, stating that all necessary preparations were complete and no further delays should occur.