New PWD min Naeem Akhtar directs officials to show results

A day after taking command of Public Works Department (PWD), senior PDP leader Naeem Akhtar today directed the officials to meet project "deadlines" and show quick results on the ground.
Akhtar, who previouly held the education portfolio in the Mehbooba Mufti government, today called for developing a foolproof mechanism for completing the works in time-bound manner.
"You (officials) must gear up for providing quick positive results on ground," he said.
"We should develop a foolproof mechanism for completing the works in time-bound manner," the minister said during a maiden review meeting of the department today.
He said the coalition government is committed to the equitable development of the state.

Stressing upon officials to meet deadlines and show quick results on ground, Naeem Akhtar said road revamp projects would gain momentum across Jammu and Kashmir in coming days.

He said providing connectivity, construction of quality and safe roads, bridges and tunnels for sustainable and inclusive socio-economic growth is the top priority for the government. The works would be carried out with strict deadlines, with proper follow-up from the department, he said.
The minister directed officials to make the process hassle-free, saying that planning, construction, upgradation and maintenance of roads, bridges and buildings must be the concern for all the officials of the department.

"Providing connectivity to unconnected habitations has to be our first objective," he said.
Akhtar said that in order to gain movement in the ongoing developmental era, the culmination of prestigious projects would help the government to provide good governance to the people of the state.
"PWD needs a professional touch and the government will do everything to revamp this vital department," he said.
"We will have to follow the procedural limitations and our core aim should be to develop transparent working culture in the department," he added.
He asked the officials to review the long pending construction and developmental projects and adhere to the set deadlines.

The meeting was informed that Central Road Fund (CRF) - a central sector scheme, is primarily focused for development of state roads & bridges including projects of inter state connectivity and economic importance.
Officials informed the meeting that during the 2015-16, 25
schemes at an estimated cost of Rs 785.56 crore have been sanctioned by GoI.
Inter state connectivity is an important sub component of CRF funding. Construction of 1210 meter span double lane RCC bridge over Ravi River at village Keerian-Gandial (Kathua) has been sanctioned by the government and taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 158.84 crore under the scheme, they said.

Divulging details about the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), an official said that the scheme was launched in December 2000 as a fully funded CSS to provide all weather road connectivity in rural areas of the country.
"The programme envisages connecting all eligible unconnected habitations with a population of 500 persons and above in plain area and 250 persons and above in hilly areas/states," the officer said, adding, "J&K State is in the hilly category as such all the habitations having 250 plus population qualify for the connectivity".
Akhtar said that infrastructure deficit has been persistent in the state because of its topography.

He said that PWD could be a vital department in bridging the gap and help the state to emerge on the infrastructure front.