Muhammad Mukaram
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Nov: 23:Fresh troubles are in the offing for cash-strapped Jammu and Kashmir government with various ongoing infrastructureprojects in the Srinagar city likely to miss deadlines due tonon-availability of funds.
Be it the construction of district court complex in Tengpora orMedical sub-center in Khimber, or the community hall in Hazratbal locality-many such key projects have already missed their date ofcompletion as the state treasury is running dry. The documentsprocured by Early Times furnish important details with regards tothese projects.
Faced with hurdles such as land acquisition, clearances and approvalsfrom government agencies like Lake and Waterways Development Authority(LAWDA), the ongoing development projects in Srinagar are stuck indoldrums.
Recently, for the construction of District court complex in Tengporaarea of Mominabad, the authorities have sought a revised funding of Rs12,028 lakh after it had already spent Rs 8,203 lakh on the project.The building complex, which has missed many deadlines since 2011, ismost likely to remain unfinished by its expected date of completion inOctober this year.
Similarly, the projects undergoing under the office of Roads andBuildings (R&B) construction division have sought increment in fundingwhile some of the projects are yet to begin work due tonon-availability of funds. The R&B department is also yet to begin theconstruction of a Community Hall in Hazratbal locality even after itshas missed its date of commissioning. No money has been made availablefor the construction so far.
As authorities keep pouring out money, the key development projectsare running behind schedules due to multifarious reasons includingdelay in funding and disputes.
The construction of Tehsil office (North) in the Hazratbal locality by the department is seemingly on track, but is also expected to miss itscompletion deadline since it is yet to receive a green nod from theCertified Treasury Professional (CTP) and LAWDA. The department hasalready spent Rs 60.42 lakh on the project so far.
Delay in funding has resulted infra projects MCH Noorbagh and TraumaHospital Pattan, the two infra works under Truck Terminal division(R&B) Srinagar, to miss their date of completion. The projects have sofar incurred a cost of Rs 772 lakh and Rs 571 lakh, respectively.
Likewise, the construction of medical sub-centre at Khimber has missed its original date of completion subject to lack of funds, after anexpenditure worth Rs 4 lakh has been spent on the project.
The number of infrastructure projects - buildings, bridges and flyovers - currently going on in the summer capital is comparativelymuch lesser as compared to projects going on in other districts of thevalley under R&B. |
