Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary Sets Deadlines for Public Works Completion Across Jammu and Kashmir

SRINAGAR, May 05 — Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary chaired a high-level meeting today to evaluate the progress of ongoing Public Works Department projects across Jammu and Kashmir, issuing a directive for zero tolerance regarding delays or substandard quality.

Reviewing various sectors including R&B, PMGSY, and NABARD-funded initiatives, he emphasized that contractors responsible for undue delays would face strict penalties.

The Deputy Chief Minister specifically focused on the timely execution of blacktopping works and the renovation of guest houses, asserting that accountability must be visible at every level of administration and execution to ensure that public infrastructure meets established benchmarks.

During the session, Surinder Choudhary highlighted several major infrastructure projects, including the New Assembly Complex in Jammu, the Ramban and Majalta bridges, and the Boulevard Road project, urging officials to accelerate their pace.

He instructed senior engineers to conduct frequent site visits and display progress bar charts at all locations to ensure transparency and close monitoring.

To prevent further bottlenecks, he directed the immediate resolution of pending land and forest compensation cases and requested a swift completion of all technical sanctions and tendering processes for upcoming projects under the SASCI framework.

Safety concerns were also a primary focus of the review, with the Deputy Chief Minister demanding a detailed report on the recent accident at Ramnagar. He ordered the immediate replacement of poorly constructed parapets at identified vulnerable locations to enhance public safety on hilly roads.

The meeting, attended by top engineering and planning officials from both divisions, concluded with a firm mandate to remove all hurdles hindering road widening projects and to prioritize the completion of essential infrastructure in the health and education sectors within the current working season.