Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 16: The State High Court today directed the Government to inform it about the status of funds allocated for the construction of bridges in Kashmir province as the constructing agency claimed lack of funds for delay.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Rashid Ali Dar sought the status of funds released by the Finance Department to J&K Project Construction Corporation regarding the construction of bridges in Kashmir province.
The direction followed after the stand taken by the Corporation that despite requests and imperative need for the funds, the same have not been released by the Finance Department resulting into unwarranted delay in completion of these projects.
Javed Iqbal (Sr. AAG) appearing on behalf of Finance Department sought some time to apprise the Court about the issue which the Court granted to him.
Court has also sought information regarding the construction of flyovers. With regard to flyover from Jehangir Chowk to Rambagh, court has been informed by the Counsel that a status report has been filed in terms of the directions passed earlier.
An affidavit has been filed giving the details which were required regarding construction of bridges by the Jammu Kashmir Project Construction Corporation in the Kashmir province and funds were required to be released by the Finance Department
JKPCC in its affidavit submitted that despite requests and imperative need of the funds, the same have not been released by the Finance Department resulting in unwarranted delay in completion of these projects.
Court after these submissions asked the Counsel representing the Finance Department Javed Iqbal (Sr. AAG) to ensure that the needful is done by the Finance Department at the earliest. “A status report in this regard shall be filed before us within 10 days from today”, the DB directed.
With regard to flyover from Jehangir Chowk to Rambagh, Court has been informed by the counsel that a status report has been filed in terms of the directions passed earlier.
In its report it is admitted by the executing agency that the project is expected to be completed structurally up to March 2019and the macadamization work for the balance portion shall be done by May 30 subject to weather, law and order as well as funds shall remain satisfactory and the flyover be put to public use as per the revised extension of time.
Court has been informed that the original contract value of the project is Rs 200.74 crores and the revised estimated cost including shifting of utilities is expected around Rs 350 crores and the expenditure as on November 2018 is Rs 244 crores.
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