Guwahati Smart City Limited spent over Rs. 300 crores since 2016

Since its inception in 2016, Guwahati Smart City Limited (GSCL) has utilized a total of Rs. 364.21 crores till July 2022. Of the spending Rs. 196 crores is borne by the Central government and the remaining Rs. 168.21 has been spent from the coffers of the Assam government. During this period, GSCL has received funding of Rs. 394.71 crores- Rs. 196 crores from the Centre and Rs. 198.71 crores from the state.

Guwahati was selected as one of the first 20 cities in India to be developed under the Smart City Project after it secured the 17th position in a contest of major cities to be selected for the development.

The GSCL started functioning in 2016, and although there is no significant or permanent visible development in the state capital in the last 6 years, a whopping Rs. 364.21 crores have already been spent. The details of the spending have been disclosed by GSCL in replies to an RTI.

Rs. 33 crores spent on the Brahmaputra Riverfront Development Project:

As disclosed, Rs. 33 crores have already been spent on the much-hyped Brahmaputra Riverfront Development Project.

As per the original Master Plan, a 6 km riverfront stretch from the Rajbhawan in Kharghuli to the Nilachal hill was to be developed with a walkway, cycle track, jogging track, pavilions, and other infrastructure works. Block costs in this feasibility report for this riverfront plan were Rs. 826 crores (± 15%), the infrastructure landscape development cost was estimated at Rs. 160 crores and the riverbank protection cost was Rs. 666 crores.

However, after years of delay, the work order was issued in March 2022 for the development of a 1.2 km stretch from the DC Bungalow to Kachari Ghat. The current estimated budget of the revised project is Rs. 327 crores and the stipulated time of completion is 2025.

Rs. 200 crores for electric buses:

To reduce carbon emissions, the Assam Government announced the procurement of 200 electric buses and 100 more CNG-operated buses to ply in Guwahati city. The Guwahati Smart City Limited has already spent Rs. 200 crores for the procurement of electric vehicles through the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC).

GSCL in December 2021 floated a tender for the purchase of 125 numbers of 9 meters AC electric buses with a range of 165 km, and 75 electric buses with a range of 120 km. Later on, ASTC was given to procure the same. Reportedly, the tender process is still no and the order has not yet been placed. Sources have also stated that the buses can be procured only after charging stations and other related requirements are set up in the city.

Additionally, ASTC has placed an order for 100 CNG buses at a total cost of Rs. 29 crores 25 lakh; the buses are to be acquired in a phased manner.

Over Rs. 29 crores for Supersuckers:

GSCL has spent a total of Rs. 29.38 crores on the purchase of Super sucker machines to clean the drains of Guwahati city. Smart City procured 10 Super sucker machines with two Dump Bullet trucks at a total cost of Rs. 28 crores. Another truck mounted with sweeping machines were bought at Rs. 1.38 crores and handed over to the Guwahati Municipal Corporation.

Of the ten, 5 sets of Super suckers were purchased from TPS Infrastructure Ltd and the other 5 from Mandy Enterprise, both firms headquartered in New Delhi.

Two phases of Project Jyoti:

GSCL is currently implementing the second phase of Project Jyoti- Own Your Street light scheme. In the first phase of the scheme, Rs. 13,73,71,000 was spent for the installation of street lights in households; and an additional Rs. 2,33,16,891 for installing street lights under the Spine Road Project.

In the second phase, 10,000 more street lights are to be installed, each light pole including civil foundation, 15-meter cable, and 15 watts LED fixture for Rs. 14,000. For the Spine Road Street Lighting, the contract has been awarded to Neev Energy LLP to install approximately 5000 light posts at a total cost of Rs. 23.32 crores.

Water ATMs and Bio-toilets:

30 bio-toilets were to be installed by Guwahati Smart City Limited across the city. Of these only 27 were installed and handed to GMC for maintenance. Unfortunately, almost none has been functional now. Rs. 8.31 crores were spent on the bio-toilets. Sources revealed that the toilets have now been repaired and are being handed over to GMC again.

Rs. 2.55 crores were spent for 20 Any Time Water machines, of which only one at the Gauhati Medical College Hospital is currently functional.

Expenses made for other developments:

Apart from the aforementioned projects that have been on the public’s purview, the other expenses made by Smart City include Rs. 92 lakh for City Beautification (wall paintings), Rs. 16 lakh for an ICCC Building of Smart City Limited, Rs. 20 lakh for development of Srimanata Sankardev Kalakshetra, Rs. 73 lakh for installation of a High Mast light at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra, Rs. 2.60 crores for the development of Judges’ Field, Rs. 3.41 crores for a light and sound show at the Gandhi Mandap, Rs. 2.54 crores for the installation of the National Flag at Gandhi Mandap, Rs. 4.54 crores for the Integrated Traffic Management System, Rs. 10 lakh each for the development of Aswaklanta and Umananda temples, Rs. 26 lakh for Dakhinpat Satra.

Reportedly, an amount of Rs. 37 lakh has also been given to the Guwahati Municipal Corporation.

A miscellaneous expense of about Rs. 10.57 lakhs has also been made in various projects, alongside additional office expenses.

A balanced fund of Rs. 30.50 crores is left with Guwahati Smart City Limited from the state government’s fund.  Presently working on the Integrated Traffic Management System is underway along GS Road and will be made functional shortly.

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