REASI: District Development Commissioner (DDC) Reasi, Nidhi Malik chaired a comprehensive review meeting today to assess the progress of infrastructure projects taken up under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in different parts of the district.

The meeting focused on the status of key road and bridge construction works, with particular attention to project delays and quality-related concerns.

The DDC took a detailed review of the road projects currently at different stages of execution. Officials attributed the delays primarily to land disputes and pending compensation payments. The DDC directed the concerned officers to take up these issues with higher authorities to expedite the release of funds for land compensation and ensure uninterrupted progress of the works.

The DDC sought an immediate inquiry and a detailed report from the Superintending Engineer (SE), PMGSY, into the quality of work on the Arnas-Chalad, Kanthan-Savalakote, and Mari-Dhakikote roads, as highlighted during the recent DISHA meeting. She emphasized that accountability will be fixed in cases of negligence or poor workmanship.

Addressing additional bottlenecks, DDC Nidhi Malik instructed PMGSY officials to urgently coordinate with the Forest Department to resolve clearance issues, particularly for the Barmankot-Bagodas road, which remains stalled due to pending forest clearances, as informed by the SE PMGSY.

Reiterating the importance of timely and high-quality execution, the DDC directed all executing agencies to prepare structured work plans to accelerate project progress. Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) were tasked with compiling comprehensive reports on all halted projects affected by land disputes and related constraints.

Furthermore, the DDC directed GREF and BRO to obtain prior permission from the district administration regarding the utilization of minor minerals for road construction activities.

The meeting was attended by CPO Narinder Kumar, ACR Nitin Verma, SDMs, the Superintending Engineer PMGSY, Executive Engineers, and other concerned officials.