SAMBA, OCT 4: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Sunday inspected the ongoing construction of two major long-span bridges on the T01–Dhalote via Talour road in Sumb Block of Samba district and expressed serious concern over the slow pace of work, directing officials to fix responsibility for delays and warning that engineers could face suspension if the projects are not expedited.
During the inspection, the Deputy Chief Minister reviewed the physical progress of BR-1 and BR-2, both designed with a span of 181.60 metres, and sought a detailed assessment of the factors holding up their completion. He directed the concerned officers and executing agency to identify bottlenecks, initiate corrective measures and ensure that the projects move forward strictly according to schedule.
The two bridges constitute an important component of the road connectivity infrastructure in the area. BR-1 is being constructed between RD 0/200 and RD 0/300, while BR-2 falls between RD 3/010 and RD 3/180 on the T01 to Dhalote via Talour road.
The projects involve substantial public expenditure, with an allotted cost of ₹2,365.87 lakh for BR-1 and ₹2,429.45 lakh for BR-2, taking the combined project cost to nearly ₹47.95 crore.
Choudhary directed the officers to submit a comprehensive report identifying the causes of the slow progress and fixing responsibility wherever avoidable delays are established. He made it clear that accountability for project delays must be established at the appropriate level, while directing the executing agency to deploy necessary resources and accelerate construction.
The Deputy Chief Minister also ordered strict quality checks at every stage of execution, stressing that the urgency to complete the projects must not come at the expense of structural safety or engineering standards. He directed that all works adhere strictly to the approved designs, technical specifications and prescribed engineering norms.
Emphasising the importance of the bridges for local connectivity and regional development, the Deputy Chief Minister said that vital infrastructure projects must be completed in a time-bound manner, with progress monitored closely and impediments addressed without further delay.
The inspection placed both project execution and accountability under renewed focus, with officials directed to balance speed, quality and adherence to approved construction standards while ensuring that the public receives the intended connectivity benefits within the stipulated timeframe.
