CAG Report No. 11 of 2025 — Implementation of Smart City Mission, Government of Karnataka

Planning
13
Exhibit 2.1: Smart Road in Racecourse dug up
by BBMP
Exhibit 2.2: Smart Road in Shivamogga dug
up by KUWSDB for 24×7 water supply
project
The State Government replied (April 2025) that due to high cost and economic
infeasibility, site challenges, inter departmental issues, technical limitations and
public impact, utility departments resorted to open trench utility laying method
(March 2025).
The reply is not acceptable as the smart road works were to be developed as per
the Tender SURE Guidelines, which aimed at reducing inconvenience to the
public and hence the objective of providing hassle free movement could not be
achieved due to frequent digging of roads for laying and maintenance of
utilities.
2.4.2 Non-inclusion of accessible infrastructure for specially abled persons
on the roads/footpath projects
Paragraphs 2.3 and 2.6 of Mission Guidelines stipulated that the city’s
development under the Mission should be inclusive. Further, paragraph 31 of
city level model template issued by Government of India (GoI) for preparation
of SCP also stipulated inclusion of accessible infrastructure for specially-abled
persons under the mission.
In the context of the above, development of roads/footpath packages was to
include the provision of tactile tiles for the visually impaired on footpaths.
However, the above provision was not made in footpaths constructed in 21
smart road projects undertaken by seven smart cities.
The State Government replied (April 2025) that footpath works taken up in
smart cities were mostly retrofitting in nature. The roads where footpath
development was contemplated already had developed footpaths and did not
have uniform carriage width which was not conducive for construction of
continuous and consistent footpaths. Further, it stated that steel handrails were
provided in the smart roads to improve access to specially abled persons
The reply was not acceptable as the primary purpose of the handrails was to
prevent pedestrians from crossing indiscriminately and slipping onto the
carriageway, as outlined in the IRC:103-2012.