Mehbooba Mufti stresses on strict adherence to project timelines in J&K

The chief minister has instructed Planning Department to monitor the pace of work on a fortnightly basis

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has stressed on strict adherence to timelines to ensure there is no delay in commissioning of projects in the state.

Urging the Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) to strictly adhere to fixed timelines, the chief minister instructed Planning Department to monitor the pace of work on a fortnightly basis, an official spokesman said on Tuesday.

Mehbooba also pressed for devising an effective mechanism which binds contractors to deliver projects on time. The state government cannot afford any spillover of externally- aided projects funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB) to the State Plan, if they stretch beyond March 31, 2017.

"ERA should mobilise men and machinery to ensure that there is no delay in commissioning of the projects within fixed timelines," she said.

The chief minister passed these directions on Monday while chairing a high-level meeting to review the progress of works taken up by J-K ERA under Loan-I and Loan-II, funded by ADB under its Multi-Tranche Funding Pattern.

Asking ERA to broaden the scope of its activities, Mehbooba said the Special Purpose Vehicle was created with the primary objective to fast-track urban infrastructure projects for creation of durable assets as well as becoming a model for other executing agencies in successfully implementing the projects.

"Financial Commissioner, Planning and Monitoring Department (FCPM) will monitor the ongoing works on fortnightly basis to ensure that there is no further delay and that all ongoing projects are fully completed on time", she said.

On current status of work on prestigious flyovers in the two capital cities of the state, for which an amount of Rs 385 crore has been sanctioned, the Chief Minister was informed that ERA is expediting the pace of work so that these are completed by March, 2017.

The project had received a setback due to 2014 floods as heavy machinery involved in its construction was completely submerged.