Nashik: Several ambitious projects under the Nashik Smart City Mission failed to take off during its nine-year run between 2017 and 2025, with many eventually scrapped or cancelled by the Smart City corporation itself.
Pay-and-Park Project Collapses
The much-needed pay-and-park project collapsed due to issues with the appointed contractor. It was finally handed over to the Nashik Municipal Corporation about six years after it failed to roll out.
Rent-a-Cycle Scheme Discontinued
The rent-a-cycle scheme was discontinued after implementation owing to operational issues. Some of the major and minor road projects planned under the Area Based Development (ABD) component were cancelled midway.
Greenfield Township Shelved
Another flagship Greenfield project, a Town Planning scheme, was shelved. This proposed township was to be spread over 753 hectares in the Makhmalabad area of the city. The Nashik Municipal Smart City Development Corporation (NMSCDCL) had planned the new township considering the expansion of Nashik city.
The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) was the planning authority for the project and planned to acquire over 753 acres of land involving landowners of Makhmalabad. Infrastructure such as roads, water supply, and drainage were to be set up at a cost of over Rs 300 crore.
Under the draft township project, farmers were to receive 55% of the land they gave for integrated development. Infrastructure like roads, public amenities, green belts, water supply, sewage lines, wide roads, and parking spaces were to be developed on the remaining 45% of the land. Farmers were to be given developed plots equipped with modern amenities.
However, the project was shelved due to delays by the smart city corporation in implementation and strong opposition from farmers.
Multi-Level Parking Projects Cancelled
NMSCDCL had also proposed multi-level parking projects at two locations in the city: near Seeta Gufa and at Raviwar Karanja. The smart city corporation floated bids but received no response. The project progressed slowly and was ultimately cancelled.
