SRINAGAR: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Tuesday chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the progress of ongoing works under the Public Works Department (PWD) across Jammu and Kashmir, directing officials to ensure timely completion along with strict adherence to quality standards.
During the meeting, the Deputy Chief Minister reviewed division-wise progress and emphasised a zero-tolerance approach towards delays, project spillovers, procedural lapses, and any compromise on construction quality. He instructed officers to expedite works under R and B, PMGSY, urban and semi-urban infrastructure projects, pothole repair programmes, mechanical works, and NABARD-funded schemes.
Choudhary also warned that contractors responsible for unnecessary delays would face strict action. He directed officials to fast-track the renovation and upgradation of PWD Guest Houses and ensure the timely completion of blacktopping works across the Union Territory.
Highlighting the importance of major infrastructure development, he called for accelerated execution of key road projects under SASCI and instructed senior engineers to conduct regular inspections to ensure both pace and quality of works.
The Deputy Chief Minister stressed that accountability must be ensured at every level, reiterating that there would be no compromise on quality benchmarks in any project. He also directed officials to resolve land acquisition, forest clearance, and compensation issues on a priority basis to avoid procedural delays, and asked for the display of progress charts at project sites for transparency.
A review was also held on several major projects, including Ramban Bridge, Majalta Bridge, PWD Guest House Udhampur, New Assembly Complex Jammu, Pragwal–Inderpati Bridge, PWD Guest House Hyderpora, and Boulevard Road.
Choudhary further directed removal of bottlenecks in road widening projects and asked for early completion of all formalities, including technical approvals, tendering, and allotments. He also sought a detailed report on the Ramnagar accident and ordered replacement of substandard parapets at vulnerable locations.
The meeting was attended by Chief Engineers, the Director Finance, planning officials, and senior engineers from various wings of the department.
