Smart City Mission: CBI to look into overspending issue in Ludhiana

09 May 2022 CW Team

A complaint has been lodged with the Union Government seeking a CBI probe into the issue of overspending on several works under Smart City Mission in Ludhiana.

The top officials of the Municipal Corporation (MC), along with the officials of Ludhiana Smart City Limited, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for the implementation of projects under the Smart City Mission, have made an unabashed attempt to sweep the issue of overspending on various projects. A complaint has been lodged with the Central Government seeking a CBI probe to unearth the 'complicity' of concerned civic body officials.

The review meeting on Smart City projects called by the MC on May 2 did not discuss the reasons for the 30% surplus expense than the original estimation incurred on Sarabha Nagar Market and Malhar Road projects.

A document placed on the agenda of the meeting had mentioned the total expense at Rs 50.20 crore as against the original estimation of Rs 38.63 crore.

In a complaint to the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MoHUA), Ramesh Nayyar, who has been associated with construction works of local bodies and government departments, has charged senior MC officials and Congress government officials with diverting funds to fill their treasury from the Smart City allocation over last many years.

MC officials overseeing Smart City projects are with contractors and construction agencies, as they are sharing the booty at the cost of the public treasury. There is no supervision over the quality of material employed and workmanship in the project. For the same reason, the escalated expense of Smart City projects is being approved.

Nayyar told the media that a CBI probe into overspending on these projects was sought since all projects being implemented under the Smart City Mission were partly funded by the Union Government.

The investigation would not only reveal the dubious role of MC officials concerned and the construction agency but also will uncover the real face of political leaders, who were calling the shots during the previous government, he said.

Image Source

Also read: Ludhiana Municipal Corporation to review development projects

A complaint has been lodged with the Union Government seeking a CBI probe into the issue of overspending on several works under Smart City Mission in Ludhiana. The top officials of the Municipal Corporation (MC), along with the officials of Ludhiana Smart City Limited, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for the implementation of projects under the Smart City Mission, have made an unabashed attempt to sweep the issue of overspending on various projects. A complaint has been lodged with the Central Government seeking a CBI probe to unearth the 'complicity' of concerned civic body officials. The review meeting on Smart City projects called by the MC on May 2 did not discuss the reasons for the 30% surplus expense than the original estimation incurred on Sarabha Nagar Market and Malhar Road projects. A document placed on the agenda of the meeting had mentioned the total expense at Rs 50.20 crore as against the original estimation of Rs 38.63 crore. In a complaint to the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MoHUA), Ramesh Nayyar, who has been associated with construction works of local bodies and government departments, has charged senior MC officials and Congress government officials with diverting funds to fill their treasury from the Smart City allocation over last many years. MC officials overseeing Smart City projects are with contractors and construction agencies, as they are sharing the booty at the cost of the public treasury. There is no supervision over the quality of material employed and workmanship in the project. For the same reason, the escalated expense of Smart City projects is being approved. Nayyar told the media that a CBI probe into overspending on these projects was sought since all projects being implemented under the Smart City Mission were partly funded by the Union Government. The investigation would not only reveal the dubious role of MC officials concerned and the construction agency but also will uncover the real face of political leaders, who were calling the shots during the previous government, he said. Image Source Also read: Ludhiana Municipal Corporation to review development projects

Infrastructure Transport

19 Dec 2025

Tripura Rail Survey Approved For Jirania–Bodhjung Link

The Ministry of Railways has approved a Final Location Survey (FLS) for a proposed new railway line between Jirania and Bodhjung Nagar in Tripura. The planned section will span 14 km and is estimated to cost around Rs 4.2 million, with the entire alignment located within West Tripura district. The approval marks a key step towards strengthening railway infrastructure and supporting industrial growth in the state. Bodhjung Nagar is Tripura’s principal industrial and commercial hub, developed mainly for resource-based industries such as rubber, bamboo and food processing. The proposed Jirania..

Infrastructure Transport

19 Dec 2025

MCF Raebareli Rolls Out Its 15,000th Passenger Coach

The Modern Coach Factory (MCF) in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, has reached a major production milestone with the manufacture of its 15,000th passenger coach on December 15, the Ministry of Railways said. During the current financial year 2025–26, the unit has produced a total of 1,310 coaches so far. Established in 2007 at Lalganj in Raebareli, MCF is among India’s most advanced passenger coach manufacturing facilities. Built at a cost of around Rs 31.92 billion, the factory has an installed annual capacity of 1,000 coaches and is located about 3 km from Lalganj on the Kanpur–Raebareli Roa..

Infrastructure Transport

19 Dec 2025

RVNL Wins Gandak River Rail Bridge Contract

Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has received a Letter of Award from North Eastern Railway for a major railway infrastructure project valued at Rs 1.65 billion. The contract relates to the construction of the substructure for a key railway bridge over the Gandak River. The bridge will be constructed between Paniyahwa and Valmikinagar stations as part of the doubling of the Gorakhpur Cantt–Valmikinagar railway section. Designed to enhance capacity and operational efficiency, the structure will comprise 14 spans of 61 metres each and will be supported by double D-type well foundations. The des..