JAMMU, JANUARY 06, 2026: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah spearheaded a high-level review of Jammu and Kashmir’s infrastructure landscape today, emphasizing a shift toward strict accountability and climate-resilient engineering.
During a comprehensive session at the PWD Conference Hall in Gandhi Nagar, the Chief Minister virtually laid the foundation stones for Public Works (Roads & Buildings) projects valued at ₹119 crore and e-inaugurated completed works worth ₹33 crore.
Addressing a gallery of top officials—including Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary and Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo—Abdullah signaled a departure from business-as-usual, demanding that procedural bottlenecks like forest clearances and Right of Way (RoW) issues be resolved through proactive, daily coordination rather than allowing them to stall public utility projects.
The review encompassed a broad spectrum of critical works managed by the PWD (R&B), NHAI, NHIDCL, BEACON, and SAMPARK. Expressing visible displeasure over historical delays, the Chief Minister sought definitive timelines for every ongoing bridge and road project, particularly those in strategically vulnerable areas.
He issued a stern directive to agencies like NHAI and NHIDCL to maintain existing road stretches while massive tunnel and highway works are underway, ensuring that major construction does not come at the cost of daily public mobility. Furthermore, in a move to modernize urban transit, Abdullah instructed the preparation of technically robust Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for new flyovers aimed at decongesting the twin capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on the long-term durability of the region’s infrastructure. Chief Minister Abdullah mandated that proper drainage systems must now be an inseparable component of all road designs, noting that rainwater remains the primary cause of premature road degradation.
Beyond construction, the Chief Minister also assessed the performance of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) and Capital Expenditure (Capex) for the 2025–26 fiscal year, urging for outcome-based planning that maximizes fund utility. The day’s proceedings concluded with the inauguration of the renovated PWD Guest House facilities and the distribution of appreciation letters to engineers, reinforcing the government’s commitment to both rewarding excellence and enforcing high-quality execution standards across the Union Territory.
