Jammu, April 6, KNT: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Monday chaired a review meeting to assess the roadmap for implementation of the Urban Challenge Fund in Jammu and Kashmir, directing departments to identify projects strictly in line with scheme guidelines and focus on bankable infrastructure proposals.
The meeting, attended by senior administrative secretaries and officials of the Housing and Urban Development Department, reviewed the framework of the scheme aimed at transforming urban infrastructure through a blended financing model.
The Chief Secretary emphasized that the fund has the potential to upgrade urban centres and improve liveability, urging departments to optimally leverage it by preparing high-quality, time-bound projects across key sectors.
He directed officials to shortlist at least a dozen viable projects in the twin cities, covering urban mobility, parking, housing, beautification and related sectors, to ensure structured implementation under the scheme.
During the presentation, it was informed that central assistance under the Urban Challenge Fund would be limited to 25 percent of project cost, with the remaining funding to be mobilized through market sources such as bonds, bank loans and public-private partnerships.
Officials said the model is designed to enhance financial sustainability while reducing reliance on traditional budgetary support, with emphasis on revenue-generating infrastructure projects.
Inputs were also shared by officials from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, finance department, and banking institutions regarding project execution, financing strategies and best practices from other regions.
The meeting was informed that the fund, with a national outlay of ₹1,00,000 crore, will be implemented over five years from FY 2026 and will cover a wide range of urban local bodies, including capital cities and tier-II and tier-III towns.
Authorities said the programme will focus on urban mobility, redevelopment, water and sanitation, and climate-resilient infrastructure, with provisions for capacity building and credit support mechanisms for smaller urban bodies.
The Chief Secretary said the initiative presents an opportunity to accelerate urban transformation and strengthen economic growth centres across Jammu and Kashmir. [KNT]
