SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has acknowledged concerns over poor-quality road works, premature deterioration and delays in project completion, while informing the Legislative Assembly that nine road contracts worth a combined Rs 98.49 crore had been terminated for contractual defaults.
The disclosure was made in response to a starred question by BJP MLA Sunil Bhardwaj, who sought to know whether the Government was aware of complaints regarding substandard road works and delays despite substantial public expenditure.
The Public Works (R&B) Department said it was aware of such concerns in relation to certain works and that deficiencies, premature deterioration and delays were examined individually before remedial or contractual action was taken.
The nine terminated contracts relate to works in Billawar, Mehore and Udhampur, according to the Government’s reply.
The department said the reasons for delays and deficiencies were assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account site-specific conditions, adverse weather, contractual deficiencies and other force majeure circumstances.
The Government also informed the House that penalties and debarment had been imposed on contractors found to have defaulted on contractual obligations. Annexures to the reply include lists of debarred contractors from South Kashmir and North Kashmir, along with a separate list for the Jammu zone.
In South Kashmir, three contractors were debarred for one year, while four contractors were barred from participating in tenders in North Kashmir during 2025-26. The Jammu zone list also includes contractors found responsible for contractual defaults.
On whether road contracts were awarded solely on the basis of the lowest bid, the department said the lowest tendered cost, or L1, was not the sole criterion.
It said technical capacity, previous performance, quality record, available resources and the contractor’s ability to complete the work within the prescribed period were also taken into consideration.
The Government said action against contractors found in default could include penalties, recovery of expenditure incurred on rectification, forfeiture of security or performance guarantees, termination of contracts and debarment from future tendering.
It further said that where poor supervision, negligence or dereliction of duty by government officers or engineers was established, responsibility would be fixed and disciplinary action initiated under the applicable service rules.
