Commissioner Secretary,Public Works (R&B) Department, Khurshid Ahmad Shah today asked concerned officers of the department to explore possibilities of adopting viable cold weather technology to tackle the issues hindering the pace of work during the winter season.The Commissioner Secretary was speaking at a meeting to review the functioning of R&B department, here today.The meeting was attended Chief Engineer, R&B Department, Kashmir Sami Arif, Superintendent Engineers, Executive Engineers of Kashmir Division and other concerned.During the meeting, the Commissioner Secretary took a detailed review of the physical and financial progress on various projects under NABARD, Central Road Fund (CRF) and other schemes.Regarding Languishing projects, the meeting was informed that 46 projects have been completed which include 39 bridges, 5 roads and 2 buildings. 744 kms of road length have also been macadamised and 613 km stand completed without black topping. It was given out that under state sector, 242 works have been completed and various other projects are at different stages of completion across the Valley.
Seeking details regarding the status of audit of all 20 year and older bridges across Kashmir, he was informed that on the direction of Lieutenant Governor the department has audited 225 bridges including 29 in Srinagar-Budgam, 12 in Circular Road Project Srinagar, 25 in Pulwama-Shopian, 29 in Ganderbal-Bandipora, 30 in Anantnag-Kulgam and 100 in Baramulla-Kupwara districts.The Commissioner Secretary directed the concerned to complete the entire audit process within the stipulated deadline and submit a report in this regard to the concerned quarters at earnest.He also directed repairing important roads including those connecting airport, railways stations and hospitals in Srinagar and towns across the Valley. Concerned engineers apprised the Commissioner Secretary about various issues hindering the pace of work including difficulties faced by the officers to carry out construction work at various places. He directed the officers to work with dedication to achieve tangible result on ground and assured them that all of their issues will be taken up with the concerned quarters including with Geology & Mining authority for early redressal.