BANDIPORA: Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Indu Kanwal Chib on Tuesday directed departments and contractors to expedite key road, bridge and flood protection works across the district, setting deadlines for specific projects and stressing the need to minimise public inconvenience ahead of winter.
During an extensive tour, Chib reviewed the upgradation of the alternative Chandergeer Road, being executed at an allotted cost of ₹151.76 lakh, and directed round-the-clock work. She asked the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) to convene a meeting with local residents to ensure cooperation and smooth traffic management.
The deputy commissioner directed that the designated alternative route be restricted to ambulances, fire and emergency vehicles, and school buses.
Inspecting retaining wall and embankment protection works at Pendbouni in Hajin, she expressed concern over the slow pace of execution and directed the contractor to complete piling and reinforcement within 10 days, followed by the concrete wall and pile cap within 25 days. She stressed that the overall deadline of December 2026 must be met, with progress monitored frequently.
Chib also inspected restoration work on the damaged right-side embankment of the River Jhelum at Checki Chandergeer, at RD 114.750 km, and directed officials and the contractor to accelerate execution.
She acknowledged the cooperation extended by residents of Hajin and asked the concerned agencies to plan night-time work wherever feasible to speed up completion and reduce disruption. The SDM Sumbal was also directed to engage with affected shopkeepers and other stakeholders to address concerns arising from the ongoing works.
Earlier, the deputy commissioner inspected construction of a double-lane steel plate girder bridge with a 17-metre span at Tangwani, Garoora, being built at an estimated cost of ₹3.25 crore. She directed the executing agency to complete slab work within a month and finish the project by December 2026.
During the visit, Chib was accompanied by SDM Sumbal Murtaza Ahmad Sheikh, executive engineers and other concerned officers.
At a separate review meeting, the deputy commissioner assessed progress under the Rural Development Department’s District CAPEX programme for 2026–27, directing officials to complete all pending works before December. She expressed concern over delays, particularly in Hajin, and stressed regular monitoring, faster execution and prompt resolution of bottlenecks.
She also asked officers to ensure that projects in Gurez reflect genuine public needs and directed the Assistant Commissioner Panchayat to coordinate with the concerned Range Officers to resolve forest-related issues.
Chib separately reviewed winter preparedness by the Health and Power Development departments, with particular focus on snowbound Gurez. The Health Department informed the meeting that nearly 80% of essential medicines and supplies had been stocked in the area. The Chief Medical Officer said a doctor was undergoing sonography training to strengthen diagnostic facilities in the absence of a radiologist.
The deputy commissioner directed the departments to prepare a comprehensive snow-clearance plan involving area zoning, road mapping and the designation of nodal officers. She also reviewed diesel stocks for power-related requirements in parts of Gurez and stressed adequate arrangements to maintain essential services during winter.
The CAPEX review was attended by Additional District Development Commissioner Bandipora Nazir Ahmad Mir, the Chief Planning Officer, Assistant Commissioner Development, Assistant Commissioner Panchayat and other officers.
The winter preparedness meeting was attended by health officials, while the SDMs of Sumbal and Gurez, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited officials, the Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Bandipora, executive engineers and block medical officers participated virtually.