Authorities halt work to review project
BANDIPORA: Residents of Bathipora village in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district staged a protest on Tuesday, alleging the use of substandard materials in the ongoing renovation of Government Middle School, Bathipora.
Local community members alleged that the contractor was utilising poor-quality sand and cement to lay floor tiles in a classroom. They further alleged that the work was being carried out without proper floor levelling.
This technical oversight, they argued, would lead to inevitable damage and represents a blatant misuse of public funds and a breach of project integrity.
Following these complaints, the Junior Engineer (JE) of Bandipora conducted an on-site inspection and ordered an immediate cessation of all construction activities.
The official assured the aggrieved residents that the project would only resume once quality materials are secured and the work aligns strictly with approved engineering norms and specifications.
The Zonal Education Officer (ZEO), Hajin, told Kashmir Reader that the work had been approved by the Block Office Naidkhai for the said institution.
“However, the contractor did not inform the school head about the construction work and allegedly used substandard material,” he said.
The ZEO said a report has been submitted to the concerned authorities, and the contractor has been directed to stop the work