Minister for R&B, Gardens, Parks and Floriculture, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari has elucidated upon the Chief Project Engineer, Parnai Hydel Power Project, coming up in district Poonch, to expedite work on the project and ensure that it is completed as per schedule. He asked them to work in close coordination with district administration and sought help where necessary for smooth execution of work on the project. He said district administration has already been asked to resolve the issues, if any, hampering the project work.These instructions were issued by the Minister at a meeting with the authorities of Project during his visit to Poonch. He asked them to give due share in jobs to the locals in the project.
The Minister asked Deputy Commissioner, Nisar Ahmad Wani, who was also present on the occasion, to monitor the progress of the project and review it fortnightly. He said inter coordination is necessary for taking forward work on the project smoothly.The Minister was informed that Rs. 604 crore are being spent on the project and is targeted to be completed by 2017.Earlier, the locals have complained about the slow progress of the project besides ignoring locals in the project jobs. They had complained that people from other states are being engaged in the project while locals are denied the jobs. They also complained the dilapidated condition of roads being maintained by BRO in the district and sought intervention of the Government to get rid from this agony.Later the Minister in a separate meeting with the BRO authorities discussed the roads being handled by the BRO in the district. He asked the authorities of the Organization either to ensure timely repairs and up-gradation of the roads being handled by them or handover back to the State for further upkeep. He said Government will not be a mute spectator of the sufferings of the people and showed willingness to take back all those roads being maintained by BRO in the district.
Bukhari said state government has changed 20 mm specification with 75mm aimed to construct durable and comfortable roads across the state. He said until and unless BRO change the specification it is not possible for them to give durable and comfortable roads to the people of the State. He said necessity has arisen to change the specification with the changing technological advancement.Pointing the dilapidated condition of Bufliaz-Surankot-Poonch road, the Minister said that he has given one month period to people for getting this important road repaired and macadamized. He asked the BRO authorities to carry out necessary repairs and up-gradation of the road early. He was told that the matter would be taken up with the higher authorities at New Delhi for changing specification accordingly.