JAMMU: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary chaired a meeting at the Civil Secretariat here today to review the progress of ongoing and upcoming National Highway projects across the Jammu region.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, PWD, Anil Kumar Singh; Engineer-in-Chief PW(R&B), Director Geology and Mining, Regional Officer NHAI J&K, Chief Engineer Project SAMPARK, Regional Officer MoRTH Jammu, Executive Directors NHIDCL Jammu and Srinagar, and Chief Engineer PWD Zone Pir Panjal, besides senior engineers and officers of the department.
During the review, the Deputy Chief Minister took a comprehensive assessment of projects being implemented by various central agencies like NHAI, NHIDCL, and Project SAMPARK. The officers presented detailed updates on the physical and financial progress of projects, issues related to land acquisition, DPR approvals, utility shifting, and inter-departmental coordination.
The Deputy Chief Minister reviewed projects including Lakhanpur-Srinagar (NH-44), Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway (NH-5), Jammu Ring Road (NH-244A), Srinagar Ring Road (Phase-I, I1 & IIA), Chenani-Patnitop-Nashri (Old Alignment) NH-244, Jammu-Akhnoor (NH-44) and Chenani-Sudhmahadev, Goha-Khellani, and Chatroo-Khanabal (NH-244A).
It was informed that a total of 37 projects under NHAI, 8 under Project SAMPARK, and 14 under NHIDCL Jammu are presently under different stages of execution in the Jammu province, while several others have already been completed.
The Deputy Chief Minister expressed satisfaction over the pace of certain works but emphasized the need to expedite all ongoing projects to ensure their timely completion.
He directed all executing agencies to strictly adhere the set timelines and maintain the highest standards of design and construction quality. He reiterated that the Government is fully committed to upgrading the road infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir, ensuring smooth connectivity and promoting regional development.
While reviewing the status of the Mangam-Dodhpathri-Shopian–Surankote section of NH-701A, being executed by Project SAMPARK, the Deputy Chief Minister instructed the concerned agencies to expedite the remaining works and resolve issues related to DPR modifications and Treasury releases at the earliest.
He asserted that work on all roads, tunnels and bridge projects be expedited across all highway projects to ensure timely completion of these projects.
The meeting also discussed the Srinagar Ring Road Phase-IIA project from Manigam to Pandach, directing the concerned to fast-track compensation processes to avoid delays in execution.
He further underscored the importance of inter-agency coordination between PW(R&B), NHAI, NHIDCL, and MoRTH for overcoming procedural bottlenecks. He instructed officers to adopt a proactive approach in identifying field-level issues and resolving them promptly in consultation with the concerned departments.
Deputy Chief Minister stated that the expansion and upgradation of national highways will not only strengthen connectivity within Jammu and Kashmir but also boost trade, tourism, and socio-economic growth in the Union Territory.
The Deputy Chief Minister also took a detailed assessment of the restoration work of roads, bridges and other connectivity in Jammu. He called upon the concerned to ensure the speedy restoration of all affected infrastructure for public convenience.
He appreciated the efforts of engineers and field officers while urging them to redouble their efforts in delivering results that reflect efficiency, accountability, and excellence in execution.
