LG reviews mega infrastructural projects in Kashmir, directs regular monitoring of all projects to ensure timely execution

Srinagar: In order to give a boost to infrastructural development in Kashmir Division, the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Friday took a comprehensive review of various Mega Projects being undertaken under several Central Schemes and other projects in a meeting held at the Civil Secretariat. He also reviewed a host of upcoming developmental projects in the region.
The Lt Governor called for multiplying the efforts in bringing developmental reforms in Jammu & Kashmir to achieve the mission of inclusive socio-economic development of all.
During the meeting, the Lieutenant Governor was briefed by officers about the pace and progress of ongoing development projects executed by Health, RDD, PWD, Jal Shakti, PDD, Agriculture/ Horticulture, and other departments in Kashmir Division.
Stressing on the need to strengthen medical infrastructure in the region, the Lt Governor directed for speedy execution of work on Major Projects of Health & Medical Education Department in Kashmir. These include AIIMS Awantipora worth Rs. 2000 Crores, Government Medical College, Anantnag worth Rs. 139.30Crores, Government Medical College, Baramulla worth Rs 139 Crores, Unani Hospital Nawabagh Ganderbal worth 32.50 Crores, Additional Block of Lal-Ded Maternity Hospital in Srinagar constructed by JKERA worth Rs 132.5 Crores, Construction of 120 Bedded Additional Hospital Block at The Bone & Joint Hospital Barzulla by JKERA worth Rs 88.94 Crores, 200 Bedded Maternity- Children Hospital Bemina- Srinagar costing 116.28Crores, among others.
While reviewing the status of development of transit accommodation for migrant employees at the cost of Rs 920 crore in Kashmir division the Lt Governor issued explicit directions to officers for expediting the same.
The Lt Governor also took serious note of the unwarranted delay in the execution of development projects being taken up by NPCC, especially the Bakshi Stadium under PMDP and directed the Administrative Secretary, Youth Services and Sports Department to take on-spot review to solve all the impending issues and expedite the project on priority.
The Lt Governor also reviewed the progress of Saffron Park at Dussu, Pampore worth 37.65 crores, Construction of Government of Degree College,Singapora Pattan, Government College of Engineering & Technology at Safapora, Semi Ring Road, Z-Morh tunnel,NH-444 ( Srinagar-Shopian Qazigund Road) of which 40.00 km of the total 85.72 km has been completed. Mega Projects under execution in Kashmir Province by JKPCC including 148 meter Span Watalbagh Basipora Bridge Ganderbal, 188 meters span Shariefabad Bridge Srinagar, Construction of 3×42 Meter PSC Grider Double Lane Bridge at Noorjahan, Qamarwari; besides, construction of 4 Mega Strom Water Drainage Projects with the cumulative cost of 133 crores by JKERA in Srinagar City.
Taking a strong note of the unwarranted delays in the completion of some projects, the Lt Governor directed the concerned officers to ensure that projects do not remain languishing unnecessarily and regular reviews are conducted to remove bottlenecks and expedite progress. He also directed officers for coming up with a formal policy to incentivize the timely completion of projects.
While reviewing the pace of Wular Lake conservation project, the Lt Governor was apprised that a complete check has been put in place to avoid any kind of encroachments around the lake. The Lt Governor called for expediting the dredging and de-silting activities and efficient utilization of funds allocated for the purpose.
He exhorted upon officers to furnish regular status reports to the government on regular intervals depicting the work done adding that it will facilitate proper monitoring and filling up gaps and remove bottlenecks, if any.
To take J&K towards inclusive development, while ensuring responsive and accountable governance, the Lt Governor asked the officers to go the extra mile to meet the developmental aspirations of the people.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam; Financial Commissioner, Finance, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta; Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education, Atal Dulloo, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor, Bipul Pathak; Principal Secretary to Government, Housing and Urban Development, Dheeraj Gupta; Principal Secretary, Revenue, Dr. Pawan Kotwal; Principal Secretary, Social Welfare, Shailendra Kumar; Commissioner Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, Commissioner Secretary, Forest Ecology and Environment, Sarita Chauhan; Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole, Secretary, Planning Development and Monitoring, M Raju, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary; Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, Sarmad Hafeez; CEO, JKERA, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah; Secretary, Tourism, Zubair Ahmad; Commissioner, SMC, Gazanfar Ali, and other senior officers.