INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

Recently the Deputy Chief Minister chaired a high level meeting to review the mining issues related to NHAI projects besides assessing progress on National Highway projects being executed across J&K.

The review encompassed critical infrastructure projects especially Delhi-Amritsar-Katra (DAK) Expressway, Srinagar Ring Road, Chenani-Patnitop-Nashri, Jammu-Rajouri and other crucial projects.

Emphasising the critical importance of these projects, he issued firm directives to ensure their timely completion while minimising public inconvenience.

Earlier, the representative from NHAI apprised of the issues regarding delay in permissions related to mining, pending permissions at various levels, STPs for ordinary soil and RBM, and supply of material.

He assured that all their concerns are under consideration and shall be dealt prominently to avoid any kind of hindrance to development works.

Meanwhile, raising serious concern over illegal mining, the Deputy Chief Minister exhorted that mining will not be allowed at the cost of environment of J&K. “Saving environment is government’s responsibility and we will not allow illegal mining at any cost,” he reaffirmed.

He directed the concerned officials to initiate strict measures as per law against those involved in illegal mining across J&K.

He impressed upon the concerned to go tough against the illegal miners. He told them to use the provisions of enforcement measures quite rigorously for putting total end to this illicit practice.

He asked the executive agencies working on various packages to deposit the penalties first imposed on them by the department to get the incessant supply of material. He assured full cooperation to NHAI from the Government prior to clearance of penalties imposed on executive agencies.