Deputy Chief Minister reviews progress on PWD works; sets deadline for completion of restoration works

SRINAGAR : Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting to review progress on the ongoing Public Works Department (PWD) projects being executed across Jammu and Kashmir.

While reviewing the division-wise status of works, the Deputy Chief Minister directed the officers to ensure timely completion of projects under R&B, PMGSY, Cities and Towns, Potholes, Mechanical and NABARD, with zero tolerance for delays, spill overs, lapses or quality standards.

Emphasizing quality and efficiency, the Deputy Chief Minister called for strict adherence to timelines in execution of all PWD works, including those related to health and education sectors. He warned that contractors causing undue delays would face strict action. He directed for expediting the renovation and upgradation works of PWD Guest Houses, ensuring completion within the set timelines. He also stressed the timely execution of blacktopping works across J&K.

Highlighting the need for faster implementation of major infrastructure projects, he directed for taking up the big road projects under SASCI for smooth and prompt initiation.

The Deputy Chief Minister reviewed the progress under various sectors, including R&B, PMGSY, Cities & Towns, CRIF, RIDF, Pothole and other infrastructure components. He instructed the senior officers, including Superintending Engineers and Executive Engineers, to conduct regular site visits to ensure quality and pace of work.

During the comprehensive review, he underscored strict adherence to quality benchmarks in all ongoing and upcoming projects, asserting that there would be no tolerance for substandard execution, delays or administrative lapses. “There is no room for quality compromise. Accountability must be visible at every level,” he stated, directing the officers to ensure close supervision and timely completion of works.

He also emphasized expeditious resolution of land, Forest and compensation cases to avoid project delays and directed that bar charts be prominently displayed at all the project sites for monitoring progress.

The Deputy Chief Minister specifically called for acceleration of work on key projects, including Ramban Bridge, Majalta Bridge, PWD Guest House Udhampur, New Assembly Complex Jammu, Pragwal–Inderpati Bridge, PWD Guest House Hyderpora, Boulevard Road and other major road and bridge projects across J&K.

He further directed for removal of bottlenecks hindering the road widening projects. He stressed that all procedural requirements, including technical sanctions, tendering and allotments, be completed in the shortest possible time to ensure timely execution.

He directed the concerned officials to submit a detailed report on the Ramnagar accident and instructed immediate replacement of poorly constructed parapets at identified locations to enhance public safety.

The meeting was attended by Chief Engineers, Director Finance, Planning officials, Superintending Engineers, and Executive Engineers from all engineering wings of Jammu and Kashmir.