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As Puducherry orders closure of Smart City Development Limited, experts urge its repurposing
Puducherry government orders the winding up of PSCDL, the SPV of the Smart City Mission, signaling the end of the decade-long programme. By March 31, 2026 a financial closure is declared with most projects complete and one pending, while experts call for repurposing the SPV for long-term urban transformation.
Why It Matters
Repurposing PSCDL could preserve institutional capacity for future urban projects and collaboration with external agencies, helping maintain momentum on urban challenges.
Timeline
3 Events
May 14, 2026 article reports closure and urges repurposing of PSCDL
May 14, 2026
A news article reports Puducherry's winding up of PSCDL and calls for repurposing the SPV to retain institutional capacity for urban transformation. It cites expert views that preserving the SPV could help implement future projects, including those requiring coordination with agencies like the World Bank, and notes concerns about the loss of trained manpower and planning continuity if the SPCDL is dissolved. The article quotes a senior official and a former PSCDL official.
Puducherry orders financial closure of PSCDL and updates on projects (March 31, 2026)
March 31, 2026
The Puducherry government ordered the financial closure of Puducherry Smart City Development Limited (PSCDL) as of March 31, 2026. 81 of the 82 sanctioned Smart City projects have been completed; the Road Over Bridge at the Cuddalore Road level crossing is the lone pending project. PSCDL has transferred its entire share of ₹52 crore to the Southern Railway. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs issued an advisory to repurpose the SPV.
Road Over Bridge construction begins on Cuddalore Road (July 2025)
July 2025
Construction of the Road Over Bridge at the level crossing near AFT mills on the Cuddalore Road started in July 2025 and is ongoing. The total project cost is ₹72 crore, and PSCDL has transferred ₹52 crore of its share to Southern Railway.