Orders probe into Rs 23 Cr payments made despite incomplete project
Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Aug 21 :
Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Kumar Choudhary on Thursday pulled up the contractor and officials over the long-pending Sanat Nagar flyover project, warning that if the work is not completed by November 15, the contractor will be blacklisted.
During an inspection of the site, Choudhary, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) expressed shock at the pace of work, stating that the flyover—sanctioned at Rs 29 crore with a one-year completion timeline, should have been ready in 2014.
“This is not the contractor’s personal project. It is public infrastructure and delays will not be tolerated,” he said.
The Deputy CM revealed that out of Rs 29 crore, payments worth Rs 23 crore have already been made, but a significant portion of the work still remains pending.
“Only Rs 7 crore is left, yet such a large portion of work is incomplete. An inquiry has been ordered to determine how these payments were cleared without progress on the ground,” Choudhary told reporters, as per KNO.
He said a full assessment of the structural quality and actual work completed will be carried out and penalties will be imposed for missing the revised deadline. “If the contractor fails to deliver by November 15, he will be blacklisted and further action will follow,” Choudhary warned.
The Deputy CM also took note of reports regarding possible structural damage to the Bemina flyover and confirmed that a formal technical inquiry has been initiated.
“The public has waited far too long for this project. I will personally monitor its progress to ensure accountability,” Choudhary said—(KNO)