Event a political gimmick: DDC Chairman
Excelsior Correspondent
BEERWAH, Feb 27: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, today launched work on Chewdara Beerwah bridge being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 14.15 crore.
The project, being executed under NABARD, will cater to a large chunk of commuters and general public as well, augmenting the connectivity in the area to great extent.
MLA Chadoora, Ali Mohammad Dar; MLA Beerwah, Dr. Shafi Ahmad Wani; MLA Khansahib, Saifud Din Bhat; DC Budgam; Chief Engineer R&B; concerned district officers and eminent citizens of Beerwah attended the event.
While speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the government is committed to holistic and sustained development of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that a new era of progress and prosperity has been ushered in the region with tremendous development in every nook and corner of the UT.
The Deputy Chief Minister directed the executing agencies to address the challenges impeding the project’s advancement.
“Work should be completed within the stipulated time so that cost escalation does not take place and the vital project is dedicated to the people in time”, the Deputy Chief Minister maintained and directed for a synergetic approach to remove bottlenecks, if any.
Later, the Deputy Chief Minister interacted with several deputations at Town hall and reiterated the Government’s commitment towards speedy development besides prompt public service delivery and redressal of grievances.
Meanwhile, DDC Chairman Budgam, Nazir Ahmad Khan, alleged that the project had actually commenced in December last year, calling the event “political gimmickry.”
Condemning the ceremony, Khan described it as a “blatant misuse” of public funds and a “deliberate breach” of protocol.
“The construction work on the bridge began in December 2024 and has already reached a significant stage,” he said. He criticized the event as unnecessary, labeling it a wasteful expenditure of public money.
“Instead of utilizing funds efficiently for developmental projects, such extravagant events are being organized, serving no purpose other than political optics,” Khan remarked.
Khan also highlighted the disregard for democratic institutions, pointing out that, as an elected representative and a key proponent of this and several other projects in the Beerwah segment, he was not invited to the event.
“Shockingly, MLAs from distant constituencies like Khansahib and Chadoora were invited, while the local representative was deliberately ignored,” he said.
Taking strong exception to this breach of protocol, Khan stated that he has written to the Lieutenant Governor, demanding immediate action against the officials responsible.
He also urged that the public money spent on the event be recovered from the salaries of the Government officials who organized it.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
