Public Works (R&B) division Kulgam has asked all executing agencies to increase men and machinery on all ongoing projects to ensure timely completion of all projects of R&B department under implementation in the district. The aim is to make most of the remaining working season affected due to covid-19 outbreak and the lockdown imposed to control its spread.Executive Engineer R&B Division Kulgam said that the department has resumed work on bridges, roads and buildings which were halted due to covid-19 restrictions and it has now adopted a robust approach to complete all projects within the set time frame. “The work on major and small projects is going on in full swing with strict adherence to SOPs and the guidelines issued by the Government in view of COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.Giving details of the works under execution, Executive Engineer said that under the Central Road Fund (CRF), the division has taken up 05 projects at a cost of Rs. 75.27 crore and the work on 4x40 metre Ashthal bridge is nearing completion which is coming up at a cost of Rs. 9.55 crore and is scheduled to be commissioned and dedicated to people this year. The bridge at Aadijan Damhal is under execution at an estimated cost of Rs 10.61 crore and work on this project is in full swing and on completion will provide connectivity to a large population of Noorbad D.H.Pora and will connect the area with district headquarter by minimizing travel distance by over 7 kilometers. “Under the languishing projects, three bridges (Adipora Mishpora, Frisal Chinigam and Khudwani Ganjipora stand completed at a cost of Rs 274.79 lakh. The department is also constructing a 10 metre long span bridge over nallah Atkhul at Nillow Awahatoo village at a cost of Rs. 1.02 crore and the bridge is expected to be completed within this fiscal,” he said.
Two more projects under the languishing projects programme - PWD Complex at Tsawalgam Kulgam and City Retreat at Kottabal, approved at a cost of Rs. 508.99 lakh have been taken up and 70 percent work on PWD complex has been completed while the work on City Retreat project is going on in full swing, said the engineer.A statement released by the department said that the department has also taken up 8 projects under NABARD at a cost of Rs.3229.16 lakh and these are expected to be completed within the fixed timelines. The division has taken in hand the construction of Sub-District Hospital, under the PM’s Development Programme at Qaimoh approved at a cost of Rs.1932.00 lakh and work on ground floor is going on smoothly as per the schedule which will go a long way in improving the health infrastructure in the district.The work on 50 bedded AYUSH hospital, approved under Ayush Mission Programme with project cost of Rs.7.40 crore is also in progress and presently plinth of the hospital is being raised.With regard to upgradation of educational infrastructure, the Executive Engineer said that R&B division has taken up two projects under the RUMSA Scheme, one each at Kulgam and Damhal Hanjipora, at an estimated cost of Rs 612.48 lakh and both the projects are nearing completion and likely to be finished during the current financial year.Executive Engineer said that R&B Division Kulgam has also taken up 32 works under Non Plan for execution at an estimated cost of Rs. 111.24 lakh, out of which, work on 29 projects is in progress while 3 works have been re-tendered and process of allotment is in progress. The division is also constructing a Gujjar and Bakerwal hostel at Aadpora Kulgam at an approved project cost of Rs.325.00 lakh.Executive Engineer said that the R&B division is also executing many other projects to create new infrastructure in the district and to provide better road connectivity to the people of the district. He said that the division is committed to complete all the projects within stipulated timeframe while ensuring quality work to add a new chapter of progress and development in the district. He said the guidelines issued in the wake of Covid 19 pandemic like social distancing, use of masks and other precautions are being followed in letter and spirit at all the working sites.