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PWD to usher in greater transparency, accountability: Naeem Akhtar

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 2/19/2017 11:25:11 PM

SRINAGAR, Feb 19: Minister for Public Works, Naeem Akhtar today called for employing latest project management techniques for timely completion of projects in key sectors.
Speaking at a review meeting of the R&B Department Kashmir here, the Minister set timeline for completion of all the ongoing projects while laying focus on quality execution of works and adopting proper design methodology.
The Minister took a comprehensive review of the projects being executed by the PWD in R&B, Health, Education and under Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
Akhtar said his aim would be to accelerate development in the State and bring transparency and public accessibility in the working of the PWD. “I will be looking forward to leading a team that believes in its capabilities so that developmental activities get the necessary boost,” he said.
On the occasion, Akhtar was briefed about status of various ongoing developmental projects in the Kashmir Division, including roads, bridges, hospitals and educational institution buildings.
He was informed that there National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) projects in the Division include a total of 633 sanctioned schemes, out of which 338 have been completed and 243 are in progress. Similarly the Central Road Fund (CRF) includes a total of 35 ongoing schemes at an estimated cost of Rs 640 crore.
He was also informed about the District Sector Roads schemes, which include a total of 527 schemes at an estimated cost of Rs 320.28 crore and the Special Bridges Programmes which include a total of 175 bridges at an estimated cost of Rs 635.63 crore.

During the meeting, the Minister also enquired about the status of hospital and college projects. He was informed that New Poly Technique Institutes will be inaugurated in Ganderbal, Anantnag, Kulgam, Baramula and other districts later this year. He was informed that while the 200-Bedded Maternity and Paediatric Hospital at Bemina will be completed by June 2018, the 30-Bedded Trauma Hospital in Pattan will be completed by June 2017.
On the occasion, the Minister said directed the officers to prepare project charts detailing timelines for projects, adding that he wants the functioning of the Department to be transparent and accessible to public knowledge. He said soon software will be put in service that would act as an online database for all the completed and ongoing works.
Seeking details about the status of Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Programme-funded National Highway (NH444) project, Akhtar was informed that the survey has been started for the highway, which passes through five districts, covering a length of 102 km, at an estimated cost of Rs 18000 crore, for which about 220 hectares of land needs to be acquired. He said there is a lot of work to be done and that the Department must rise to the occasion. He said he wants a total dedication to the work, having fixed ideas and targets for all project.
“Providing reliable connectivity, construction of quality and safe roads, bridges and tunnels for sustainable and inclusive socio-economic growth is the thrust area for the Government and the works shall have to be executed within time-lines with proper follow-up,” he said and added that the R&B Department must now gear up for providing quick results on the ground.
“We will have to follow the procedural limitations and our core aim should be to develop transparent working culture in the department,” he added.
The Minister asked the officials to review the long pending construction and developmental projects and
adhere to the set deadlines for their completion.