Srinagar: Delays in execution of key developmental projects that too central sponsored is proving to be dearly for the state. The state of Jammu and Kashmir which is lacking the required growth in various vital sectors cannot afford this delay as the government is bound to bring about a socio- economic development in the State.
Even a cursory look at the key central-sector projects being executed in the State reveals that all of them have failed to meet the deadlines set for their commissioning.
The projects—which could have been of immense benefit to over 1. 25 crore souls of the State—are being executed at a snail’s pace, with interventions from top offices including the Prime Minister’s Office, failing to speed up the work.
The State government too has failed to clear bottlenecks in the projects even as a high-level panel headed by Chief Secretary was set-up for the purpose following the Government of India’s directions few years back
One of the key concerns vis-à-vis development of the state is the all weather connectivity. The Centre’s ambitious rail connectivity program between Baramulla and Udhampur is embroiled in delays over the past two decades. While Udhampur- Katra (25 km) and Banihal-Baramulla (138 km) portions of the route have been completed, the work on Katra-Banihal stretch is yet to be finished.
Similarly, the four lanning of the Jammu Srinagar National Highway too is caught up in delays and shortcomings.
The Srinagar-Banihal, Qazigund-Banihal, Nashri-Chenani and Jammu-Udhampur—have missed the dates of completion, prompting the NHAI to fix new timelines for their commissioning.
The biggest road block that the four lanning of the highway is facing is the construction of a bridge and various tunnels in the Ramban and Chenab sector.
The Railways has now taken an initiative and it would construct the first cable stayed bridge in India on Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link- named as Anji Bridge. The Udhampur-Srinagar rail line in addition to this would also have to make sure that the work on other small and medium 38 tunnels, 927 bridges and iconic Chenab Bridge to provide all-weather rail connectivity to the people of the State is turned into a reality
In addition to this the projects that have been initiated in the power sector too need to be taken up on priority.
The power projects like the Pakul-Dul Hydro Electric Project should also be taken up and the re-tendering process of 1000 MW Hydro Electric Project should be taken up soon. Besides, another important project that encompasses completion of the 220 KV Srinagar-Leh Transmission System costing Rs. 2,352.27 crore should also be completed within the shortest possible time.
These projects which are pending completion are the lifelines for the overall development of the state and if these projects continue to linger on then it’s better to wind up these projects as missing the completion deadlines by decades together makes no sense at all.