Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Tuesday outlined a series of measures aimed at accelerating infrastructure development, strengthening industrial resilience, and restoring key bridges, with Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary making multiple statements on the floor of the Legislative Assembly.
Replying to a question raised by Payare Lal Sharma, the Deputy Chief Minister said the government would expedite forest clearances to ensure speedy execution of road construction projects across Jammu and Kashmir. He said cases related to forest clearance would be taken up with the concerned agencies to facilitate hassle-free implementation of road network projects.
He further informed the House that under PMGSY-IV, road construction in Jammu and Kashmir follows a 90:10 cost-sharing pattern, with 90 per cent funding by the Centre and 10 per cent by the Union Territory. On land acquisition issues, he clarified that the UT government is responsible for providing encumbrance-free land, including payment of compensation, for PMGSY-IV projects. Supplementary questions on the issue were raised by Legislators Nazir Ahmad Khan and Balwant Singh Mankotia.
In another reply, addressing a question by Sham Lal Sharma, the Deputy Chief Minister stated that no enquiry has been ordered against the executing agency involved in the construction of the 4th Tawi Bridge. He said reports from the Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Chief Engineer Public Works (R&B) Department Jammu, and Managing Director JKPCC Limited confirmed that while recent floods damaged the bridge approaches, the structure itself remained intact.
Providing details, he said the 4th Tawi Bridge project was awarded to JKPCC in 2010 at an estimated cost of ₹93.12 crore. Following the tendering process, the work was allotted on a turnkey basis to M/s S.P. Shingla Construction Private Limited for ₹67.088 crore. The bridge was completed within the stipulated time, inaugurated in 2013 by the then Chief Minister, and opened for public traffic. He added that even during the devastating floods of 2014, no component of the bridge suffered damage.
On restoration of damaged infrastructure, the Deputy Chief Minister informed the House that permanent restoration of the Larnoo Bridge in Kokernag constituency of Anantnag district is being undertaken at a cost of ₹2 crore. Replying to a question by Zafar Ali Khatana, he said the bridge, located on the T-03 Dessu–Lehenwan Marg, had its abutment wing and approach walls partially damaged during floods in August–September 2025. The restoration work is being carried out by the R&B Department. He also noted that the Bidhard–Khirty road is a single-lane blacktopped road in good condition with a carriage width of 3.65 metres.
Earlier, responding to a question by Waheed ur Rehman Parra, the Deputy Chief Minister said the government has initiated multiple steps to strengthen the economic resilience of industrial units, MSMEs, artisans, weavers, and farmers in Jammu and Kashmir.
He said initiatives include the launch of the JKMSME Health Clinic, an institutional mechanism to identify early signs of industrial stress through analytics and provide customised remedial measures for revival. Access to finance has been enhanced under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) programme through a stronger linkage with the CGTMSE.
Highlighting policy support, he said the J&K Industrial Policy 2021–30 offers a range of incentives, including turnover and SGST incentives, green incentives, 100 per cent subsidy on diesel generator sets, exemptions from stamp duty and court fees, and subsidies for quality certification, automation, and pollution control. Revival of sick MSMEs, he added, is being guided by the RBI framework for restructuring and rehabilitation.
For artisans and weavers, he said, targeted schemes are being implemented, including the Credit Card Scheme for Artisans and Weavers with credit up to ₹2 lakh and 7 per cent interest subvention, financial support to cooperatives and SHGs, Karkhandar Scheme, Weavers MUDRA Scheme, and the Education Scheme for Children of Artisans and Weavers. GI-certified unit holders are being provided rent-free stalls and support for exhibitions, while master craftsmen in distress receive monthly assistance under the Direct Benefit Scheme.
The Deputy Chief Minister further said that farmers are being supported through interest subvention on crop loans under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme, credit restructuring in case of natural calamities, and comprehensive crop insurance under PMFBY. He added that the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) and Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) are promoting long-term investment in agriculture and livestock infrastructure through interest subvention and credit guarantees.
