Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary has expressed significant dissatisfaction with the sluggish progress of two crucial long-span bridge projects in Samba district, urging officials to accelerate construction while upholding stringent quality standards. The directive came during an on-site inspection of the bridges, which are being developed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) along the T01-Dhalote via Talour road.
During his visit to the Sumb block, Deputy Chief Minister Choudhary voiced his concerns over the protracted timelines, emphasizing the need for immediate identification of the root causes behind the delays. He instructed the responsible officers to implement prompt corrective measures to ensure the projects move forward without further hindrance. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the Deputy Chief Minister stressed the importance of accountability, stating that responsibility must be fixed for any unjustified delays in the project execution. He further directed the executing agency and relevant officials to guarantee the time-bound completion of these vital infrastructure works through meticulous monitoring at every phase of development.
The Deputy Chief Minister also mandated a thorough assessment of the quality of the ongoing construction activities. He underscored that all work must strictly conform to the approved designs, technical specifications, and established engineering standards. The two bridges in question, designated as BR-1 and BR-2, are each designed to span 181.60 meters. BR-1 is situated between road chainages RD 0/200 and RD 0/300, while BR-2 is located between RD 3/010 and RD 3/180 on the T01-Dhalote via Talour road. Official figures indicate that the sanctioned cost for BR-1 amounts to Rs 23.66 crore, with BR-2 having an approved budget of Rs 24.29 crore. The Deputy Chief Minister reiterated the imperative of rigorous quality control, continuous oversight, and the swift resolution of any obstacles impeding the project’s advancement. He instructed the officers to present a detailed analysis of the factors contributing to the slow pace of work and to ensure that remedial actions are put into effect without any further postponement. Highlighting the strategic importance of these bridges for enhancing regional connectivity and fostering economic development, Choudhary stated that critical infrastructure projects must be concluded within their stipulated deadlines without any compromise on the quality of construction.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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