J&K projects miss deadlines despite repeated assurances

In Jammu and Kashmir, despite high level meetings and the pressing demands by Srinagar Divisional Commissioner Asgar Samoon to remove bottlenecks and enhance smooth traffic by widening National Highway, very little has actually been met on the pragmatic roadmap.

The most perturbing concern, which continues to be a credible indicator of the prestigious plan executions and achievements, has been the land acquisition and rehabilitation of shops. One such high level meeting was held on December 8, 2012 and the concern expressed by Samoon was timely disposal of land acquisition, the road widening project aimed at removing bottlenecks at Lasjan and Pantha Chowk.

Another road widening project with poor results and unnecessary delays is the Achabal-Chattapal road which received a go from the Central Government in 2009 as being provided by Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGYS).

In the first ten months of the project, the firm awarded the contract was supposed to complete 40 per cent of the work. The contract was terminated as only 10 per cent had been completed; the disgruntled contractor filing writ petitions causing delays.

The Div Com, aware of the delays, has been pressing the revenue officers concerned to expedite to meet project deadlines. Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ali Mohammad Sagar has also voiced concerns for proper implementation of development programmes in general and widening road in Fatehkadal-Khankahi Mohalla. In a clear message to Chief Engineer R&B, Sagar demanded removing the bottlenecks.

The exigencies have been shared by commissioners, town planners, engineers and line departments. Still projects miss deadlines and development initiatives remain a distant dream. The State government and administration should take steps to make the plans and their executions result oriented.