Jammu: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Friday informed the Legislative Assembly that the government will examine the suggestion for the creation of a Roads and Buildings (R&B) sub-division for the Ajas area in Bandipora district.
Replying to a question raised by legislator Hilal Akbar Lone, the Deputy Chief Minister said that no formal request or proposal has been received by the department so far, and none is presently under consideration. However, he added that the matter would be examined in due course.
The Deputy Chief Minister also informed the House that proposals for the creation of additional infrastructure at Latti and Patnitop are under examination and would be considered subject to feasibility and availability of funds. The reply came in response to a question by legislator Balwant Singh Mankotia.
He said the Union Territory regularly takes up projects with NABARD for sanction under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), where assistance is primarily provided in the form of loans as per prescribed norms. Proposals are submitted in phases based on project readiness, absorptive capacity and repayment capability, and are processed strictly in accordance with NABARD guidelines.
Choudhary further stated that delays in disbursement of compensation often occur due to pending court cases, land ownership disputes and non-availability of funds at certain stages. Legislator Nazir Ahmad Khan raised a supplementary question on the issue.
On road works, the Deputy Chief Minister asserted that the government will not compromise on the quality of macadamization and no payment will be released to contractors if sub-standard material is used. The statement came in reply to a question by legislator Mubarik Gul.
He said district-level officers have been instructed to take local legislators on board before finalizing macadamization plans and road projects. He informed that 344.32 kilometres of road length has been macadamized or blacktopped across Jammu and Kashmir during 2025–26.
He added that macadamization plans for various constituencies in the ensuing financial year under different schemes would be prepared after the Finance Department conveys the budget ceiling. Legislator Chander Prakash Ganga also raised a supplementary question on the matter.
