Srinagar, May 5: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Monday chaired a high-level meeting to review the progress of ongoing Public Works Department (PWD) projects across Jammu and Kashmir, directing officials to ensure timely completion with strict adherence to quality standards.
While reviewing division-wise status, the Deputy Chief Minister emphasized zero tolerance for delays, spillovers, and lapses in execution under key sectors including R&B, PMGSY, Cities and Towns, Mechanical works, pothole repairs, and NABARD-funded projects.
Stressing efficiency and accountability, he warned that contractors responsible for unnecessary delays would face strict action. He also directed officials to expedite renovation and upgradation of PWD Guest Houses and ensure timely completion of blacktopping works across the Union Territory.
Highlighting the importance of fast-tracking major infrastructure initiatives, Choudhary instructed departments to initiate large road projects under SASCI without delay to improve connectivity and development.
The Deputy Chief Minister reviewed progress under multiple sectors such as CRIF, RIDF, and other infrastructure components, and directed senior engineers to conduct regular site inspections to maintain quality and pace of work.
Reiterating the importance of maintaining high standards, he stated that there would be no compromise on quality or timelines and called for visible accountability at all levels of execution.
He also directed officials to resolve issues related to land acquisition, forest clearances, and compensation promptly to avoid project delays. Additionally, he instructed that bar charts be displayed at project sites for better monitoring of progress.
Special focus was laid on accelerating key projects including Ramban Bridge, Majalta Bridge, PWD Guest House Udhampur, New Assembly Complex Jammu, Pragwal–Inderpati Bridge, PWD Guest House Hyderpora, and Boulevard Road.
The Deputy Chief Minister further directed removal of bottlenecks in road widening projects and called for expediting procedural requirements such as technical sanctions, tendering, and allotments.
Taking note of safety concerns, he ordered submission of a detailed report on the Ramnagar accident and directed immediate replacement of poorly constructed parapets at vulnerable locations.
The meeting was attended by Chief Engineers, Director Finance, Planning officials, Superintending Engineers, and Executive Engineers from various engineering wings of Jammu and Kashmir.
