JAMMU, Feb 28: Reiterating the government’s zero‑tolerance policy toward any compromise on quality, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary on Saturday warned of strict action against the use of substandard material or shoddy execution in Public Works Department (PWD) projects across Jammu and Kashmir.
Chairing a high‑level review meeting here, Choudhary assessed the overall functioning, zone‑wise physical and financial performance of the PWD in all districts of the Union Territory. He stressed strict adherence to quality benchmarks in ongoing and upcoming projects and said there would be no leniency for substandard work, delays, or administrative lapses.
“There is no room for quality compromise. Accountability must be visible at every level,” he stated, directing officers to ensure close supervision and timely completion of works. He underlined the government’s commitment to providing seamless road connectivity to all habitations through a wide range of road, bridge and infrastructure projects under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF), NABARD RIDF, Roads and Buildings, and Cities & Towns schemes to accelerate J&K’s developmental transformation.
Officers were told to strictly follow stipulated timelines and financial discipline, with the DCM warning that delays in project completion would invite stringent action, including blacklisting of contractors and fixation of responsibility on defaulting officials.
Expressing concern over slow tendering and low expenditure in certain sectors, Choudhary directed field officers to ensure 100 per cent utilisation of allocated funds by the end of March, cautioning that any negligence would be viewed seriously. He also strongly discouraged abnormally low bids and subletting of contracts, terming such practices harmful to quality, transparency, and timely execution.
The DCM instructed that fresh tendering should not be initiated without proper justification and prior approval from the competent authority. He added that contractors securing multiple projects through low‑value bids must be closely monitored to ensure adherence to quality standards and progress timelines.
To enhance transparency and accountability, Choudhary directed field officers to maintain proper movement registers and conduct regular site inspections. Officers posted in remote and far‑flung areas were asked to mark attendance through geo‑tagging to strengthen monitoring mechanisms and improve work culture.
An official spokesman said that during FY 2025–26, the road sector recorded substantial financial progress, with expenditure reaching 62 percent under CRIF projects and 45 percent under NABARD RIDF works. Region‑wise, South Kashmir achieved 64 percent expenditure, Chenab Zone 57 percent, Central Kashmir 56 percent, and Jammu Zone 55 percent, indicating balanced infrastructure development across the Union Territory.
Under PMGSY, 99.7 per cent of targeted habitations under Phase‑I have been connected, with 18,009 km of road length completed, while PMGSY‑IV aims to provide connectivity to 2,513 additional eligible habitations, further strengthening rural road infrastructure. The spokesman also informed that 697 permanent restoration works have recently been approved, underscoring the government’s resolve to build resilient, durable, and high‑quality public infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir.
