Despite ₹792 crore spent under the Smart City project, major roads, hospitals and residential areas continue to flood after just hours of rain, most recently in July 2026 when dozens of neighbourhoods were submerged; SMC identified ~60 waterlogging hotspots citywide.
On record
The official record states: "SMC Commissioner said "rainfall was more than the drainage capacity"; a Smart City official said many flooded roads "were not executed under the Smart City project" for drainage. The J&K government ordered an external audit."
Filed as "Still failing after ₹792 crore spent — external audit ordered" and dated to Smart City works ongoing since ~2017; failures documented July 2026, this entry sits under the "₹792 crore spent (of ₹3,600cr total proposal); additionally ₹76.79 crore on AMRUT drainage" line of the public accounts.
What to expect
- A surface that renegotiates its shape with every monsoon.
- Potholes deep enough to have their own microclimate.
- Freshly laid tar, laid with real optimism.
- A resurfacing crew that will, in time, return.
Sourcing
1 public source — news reports, RTI replies and civic archives — corroborate this entry. The citation trail is listed below for anyone who would like to follow up with the department concerned.
“It photographs better than it performs — most public works do.”— Blunderlust Editorial Desk
Sources
Visitor reviews
“Drove past the inauguration hoarding to reach the actual site. Come for Jammu and Kashmir tourism, leave thinking about municipal governance.”
“Followed a forwarded message all the way to the barricade. On paper it is finished; paper is where it lives.”
“Took a chai break at the stall opposite and watched it not progress. The scope crept until it fell over, and here it lies.”