Minister for Public Works, Naeem Akhtar today chaired a meeting of senior functionaries to review the pace of progress of mega projects taken up by R&B department in Jammu division.In the meeting, the minister assessed status of up-gradation, renovation of existing and new development projects in progress under CRF, NABARD, PMGSY. He directed the concerned officers to ensure time bound completion of the projects and asked them to submit the status report of each work to his office regularly.The Minister set November, 2017 as deadline for the completion of Trade Facilitation Centre at LoC trade point Chakan Da Bagh , Poonch. The project is coming up at an estimated cost of 1025.82 lakh.The Minister asked the department to mobilize men and machinery to achieve the target of blacktopping about 2000 km road length in the region till the end of 2017.The Minister stressed upon the need for ensuring transparency in the working of the department and applauded the efforts made by the officers in maintaining the quality of work by strictly following the specifications. He stressed on quality control and also urged the officers to adopt cost efficient methods for better results.
Asserting that the department has to work in synergy with all stakeholders, he asked the engineers to facilitate contractors allotted different works. “No unnecessary harassment of Engineers and Contractors will be allowed if they work with dedication,” he said.He said that contractors are important components of the department and appreciated them for putting in their own investments while letting their self interest behind and contributing in the development of the state.Later, the Minister also met with the deputation of Contractors and assured them that all their genuine demands will be considered.He also said that development of Chenab valley, Reasi and other far flung areas of the region are at the priority of the government. “Many inevitable problems are coming in the way of developmental works in these areas that led to languishing of various schemes,” he further said.The Minister also directed the officers to adopt special measures to promote entrepreneurship among the people of far flung areas to encourage them to set up crushers and other construction material units in these areas.The Minister assured that he will take up all their issues with Chief Minister and concerned authorities.
The pace of progress on special projects like infrastructure development works for Cluster University Jammu and New Medical College, Rajouri was also reviewed threadbare.The Minister desired that construction of hospital buildings and education institute buildings be given priority to upgrade health care and better education facilities in the state. He instructed the officers to follow such practice in all the areas of the state so that people of far flung areas are benefitted.He expressed satisfaction over the fact that the work of Medical College Rajouri is ahead of its time and will be completed soon.Meanwhile, the Minister was also informed about the achievements of the department under various projects. Constituency wise status of work plans of cities and Towns, Progress of Road projects and works taken up under RMSA and RUSA were also reviewed by the minister.Commissioner Secretary R&B, Sanjeev Verma, Chief Engineer Sudhir Shah, Chief Engineer, S.P Manhas besides representatives from JKPCC and other concerned officers were also present in the meeting.