NC’s Tanvir Sadiq Slams Srinagar Smart City Planning

12 Dec 2025 CW Team

National Conference Chief Spokesperson and Zadibal MLA Tanvir Sadiq recently criticised the Srinagar Smart City Project, describing it as ill-conceived and lacking a futuristic approach to urban planning. He said planners should have integrated stormwater and sewerage systems and adopted stronger infrastructure measures.

Sadiq said limited progress has been achieved in Downtown Srinagar under the project, adding that roads have been narrowed while footpaths were widened without adequate planning. He stressed that a city can be termed smart only when its sewage and drainage systems function efficiently, noting that cosmetic changes alone do not meet the objective of smart urban development.

He also questioned the outcomes of initiatives such as public bicycle usage, claiming that many of the cycles introduced under the project are now lying unused. He added that corrective measures would be undertaken to address existing shortcomings.

On the issue of the Combined Competitive Examination, Sadiq said there was no ambiguity regarding his party’s position and maintained that procedures followed in earlier years remain valid. He stated that approvals sent to Raj Bhawan should have been cleared without delay, adding that queries raised have been referred by the General Administration Department to the JKPSC and are expected to be resolved.

Responding to criticism from People’s Conference Chairman Sajad Lone, Sadiq said he respects him as a senior politician but accused him of focusing on mockery rather than constituency-level issues. He alleged that criticism has been selectively directed at the Chief Minister while sparing other authorities.

Infrastructure Transport

01 Jun 2026

MMRDA advances 250 m on Orange Gate–Marine Drive tunnel

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has completed 250 m of underground tunnelling for the Orange Gate–Marine Drive Urban Road Tunnel using India’s largest slurry shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) deployed for an urban road project.The project involves twin tunnels extending over 7 km beneath critical transport corridors, including Central Railway, Western Railway and Metro Line 3. The work requires high-precision engineering to navigate densely developed urban infrastructure.Once completed, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marin..

Hindustan Zinc Pays Rs 188.46 Billion in FY26

Hindustan Zinc contributed Rs 188.46 billion to the public exchequer in FY 2025-26, according to its 9th Tax Transparency Report. The contribution, equivalent to 46 per cent of the company’s revenue, included direct and indirect taxes, government royalties, dividends to the Government of India, withholding taxes and other statutory levies.The company’s five-year cumulative contribution to the exchequer stood at Rs 915.72 billion. In FY26, Hindustan Zinc reported revenue of Rs 408.44 billion, EBITDA of Rs 221.62 billion and profit after tax of Rs 138.32 billion. It also achieved its highest..

World of Concrete India 2026 Opens in Mumbai

Informa Markets in India will host the 12th edition of World of Concrete India 2026 from 3–5 June 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The specialised B2B exhibition will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, developers, architects, consultants, infrastructure companies, project leaders and government stakeholders.The event is expected to feature over 350 brands and more than 18,000 trade professionals. It will cover concrete and cement, dry mortar, precast technologies, formwork, construction chemicals, industrial and commercial flooring, scaffolding, safety solutio..