Kathua: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Friday directed the completion of all pending infrastructure works at Bhagthali Industrial Estate by October 2026, taking serious note of delays in projects worth around ₹60 crore being executed by IRCON.
During an inspection of the industrial estate, Choudhary reviewed the progress of industrial infrastructure, civic amenities and flood protection works. He directed the authorities to issue notices to the executing agency for failing to meet the original 2025 completion deadline and ordered third-party scrutiny of the works completed so far.
The Deputy Chief Minister also visited M/s Kanadhari Beverages and M/s Chiripal Poly Films Limited, where he reviewed operations and interacted with management regarding infrastructure, industrial facilitation and other operational issues.
He urged industrial units to provide greater employment opportunities to local youth through skill development and placement camps, and asked them to involve local elected representatives while identifying skilled and unskilled manpower requirements.
Later, Choudhary chaired a review meeting on the functioning of industrial estates and progress of development and restoration works in Kathua district.
Officials informed the meeting that 14 industrial estates are being established across the district.
Reviewing restoration of roads damaged by recent rains and floods, the Deputy Chief Minister was told that temporary connectivity had been restored on 46 of the 48 affected Public Works Department (PWD) roads, including the Old Kathua-Samba Road. He directed Executive Engineers to restore connectivity on the remaining roads without delay and submit proposals for permanent restoration on priority.
The meeting was also informed that the Irrigation and Flood Control Department had completed 11 of the 15 restoration works, while work on the remaining projects was in progress.
Choudhary directed the Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, to regularly review the functioning of industrial estates and submit a comprehensive report to the government on issues affecting industrial infrastructure and investor facilitation. He also called for close coordination among industrial associations and other stakeholders.
He instructed officials of the Pollution Control Committee, Mining Department and Forest Department to ensure strict enforcement of statutory regulations.
On mining, the Deputy Chief Minister said the course of the River Ravi requires scientific correction through regulated extraction of material from identified locations to improve the river’s natural flow and reduce erosion during heavy rains and floods.
He also directed the Labour Department to ensure effective implementation of labour welfare measures and strict compliance with labour laws and labour codes by industrial units.
Reviewing Mission YUVA, Choudhary called for awareness programmes in schools and colleges to encourage students to acquire skills aligned with industrial requirements. He also asked polytechnic institutions to conduct outreach programmes in remote areas to identify and develop local talent.
