Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 15: Notwithstanding the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah’s repeated thrust on the completion of projects within stipulated time-frame, 72 developmental projects have exceeded target date of completion beyond the period of five years.
In reply to the question of MLA from Jammu West Assembly segment, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta in the Lower House, the Minister Incharge Planning said that 11 projects of J&K ERA, 12 of JKPCC PW (R&B) Sector, 2 of Higher Education, 20 of Power and 27 of Health Department have exceeded target date of completion beyond the period of five years.
The main reasons for delay in the execution of these projects were delay in shifting of utilities, delay in land acquisition, delay in eviction of encroachments, non-performance of contractors, time taken in vacation of stay if any from the courts, time consumed in termination of original contract and its re-tendering and escalation in cost estimates.
Some of these projects are construction of sedimentation tanks, clear water sump and allied works for treatment of backwash water at WTP in Srinagar district, construction of Over Head Tank and Ground Water Level Service reservoirs and other allied works in Jammu city, replacement of worn out pipes and strengthening of distribution network in Jammu, widening and strengthening of Udhampur-Ramnagar road, improvement and upgradation of Doda-Bharat road, construction of bridge over River Jehlum at Chandanwari, Uri, construction of auditorium at Government Degree College Anantnag, construction of grid stations at Kishtwar, Batal Manwal, 132 KV Barn-Canal transmission like, construction of grid station at Reasi, Hiranagar-Barn-Bishnah transmission line, Gladni-Udhampur transmission line 165 towers, Sub-District Hospital at Charar-e-Sharief, District Hospital Budgam, District Hospital Anantnag, District Hospital Doda, CHC building at Khour etc.
About the major projects having been abandoned despite spending more than Rs 2 crore, the Minister informed the House that work on 12 road projects falling under Prime Minister Gramin Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) has been temporarily abandoned due to stay obtained by M/s GVPR Engineers Ltd, Hyderabad.
These projects are road from Gowari to Bharat, road from Sungri to Bagudas, road from Budhal to Lancha, road from Gran Morh to Sakal Ghati, road from Bhalra to Gurekha, road from Chakri to Kalihand, road from Baboor to Jigote, road from Udhampur to Hancha, road from Dalli to Kaloohand, road from Atholi to Palai, road from B B Bhagwah to Kotli and road from Beoli to Koti.
The Minister further informed the House that one more project namely—construction of Kandi canal in Doda district under AIBP has been temporarily abandoned by M/s Mir Constructions and Associates in whose favour the contract was awarded by the PHE Department and the case is now sub-judice.