Chief secretary Atal Dulloo presides over review meeting of Public Works Department

Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, chaired a comprehensive review meeting with senior officials of the Public Works Department to assess the progress of key infrastructure projects across the Union Territory. The meeting, held at the Civil Secretariat, brought together engineers and senior officials from executing agencies to discuss critical ongoing projects, address challenges, and streamline efforts for timely project completion. The Chief Secretary took a detailed review of the Public Works Department’s initiatives aimed at improving road connectivity, infrastructure, and public services in Jammu and Kashmir. He expressed particular concern about ensuring the timely completion of road projects that are vital to the region’s development and the enhancement of public mobility. Atal Dulloo emphasised the importance of strict quality control, the adherence to deadlines, and maintaining transparency in the execution of projects. One of the key highlights of the meeting was the progress on the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana , particularly Phase IV, which aims to connect all unlinked habitations with all-weather roads. The Chief Secretary instructed the department to expedite the survey and preparation of Detailed Project Reports for these habitations, ensuring no village is left behind in receiving vital road connectivity. He called for regular monitoring of this process and the timely completion of the Comprehensive New Connectivity Priority List , which would prioritise roads for implementation based on their urgency. In the meeting, the Chief Secretary was informed about the achievements under the various phases of PMGSY – I, II, and III. The Secretary of PWD, Bhupinder Kumar, provided a detailed presentation, highlighting the construction of over 17,578 kilometers of roads and the completion of several critical long-span bridges. The progress made in Phase III was also reviewed, which has seen significant road construction efforts, including an additional 1,248 kilometers of road and the development of bridges. The Chief Secretary was keen on addressing challenges in project execution, such as delays, funding constraints, and logistical issues. He directed senior officials to personally oversee the progress of all major projects, ensuring there is no slippage in timelines. He stressed the need for immediate intervention to address roadworks that are currently behind schedule. Discussions also covered the Central Road Infrastructure Fund and NABARD RIDF projects, with an update on ongoing work under both schemes. It was revealed that significant financial progress has been made in both schemes, with several projects nearing completion. Under CRIF, 121 ongoing projects have been sanctioned, with an expenditure of Rs. 1,180 crore, and 21 projects are expected to be completed by 2024-25. Additionally, under NABARD RIDF, a total of 1,098 projects worth Rs. 4,761 crore have been sanctioned, with over 195 projects already completed. The Chief Secretary further discussed the status of road blacktopping, with 3,013 kilometers of roads successfully macadamized in the current fiscal year. He acknowledged the efforts made so far but called for faster progress to meet the target for road and bridge construction. In closing, Atal Dulloo reiterated the government’s commitment to improving the region’s infrastructure, particularly the road networks, as part of the larger developmental agenda. He urged officials to prioritise the completion of ongoing projects and implement solutions to resolve any challenges swiftly. The Chief Secretary’s leadership and focus on timely execution and quality assurance in public works will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the region’s infrastructure development.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.