Dearth of funds has caused delay in completion of at least 2323 developmental projects across Jammu and Kashmir over the last three decades, government data reveals.
According to the planning department’s data, the projects estimated to cost Rs 3800 crore are languishing in the state.
However, officials say the actual cost of these pending projects in the state sector has escalated a lot since they were envisaged.
“Current cost of these projects will be much higher,” an official said.
The data of pending projects was compiled on the directions of the chief secretary, following the state government’s move to constitute J&K Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation Limited (JKIDFC) to generate Rs 8000 crore to be utilised in a phased manner to speed up the delayed projects.
According to the data, summer capital Srinagar has 28 languishing projects, mostly of the public works department, while this figure for other districts is: Baramulla (12), Shopian (11), Kupwara (40), Kulgam (81), Bandipora (34), Ganderbal (18), Anantnag (67) and Budgam (29).
Among all these languishing projects, the highest number is reported under public works department which has 1636 projects awaiting funds for completion.
The brunt of these delayed projects is mostly felt on the movement of vehicular traffic.
With an addition of over 1.5 lakh vehicles annually, the road length in the state is not enough to match with the bulging vehicular growth, resulting in traffic congestions.
Further, the public health engineering and irrigation and flood control departments have pendency of 243 projects, which, according to officials, is stifling chances for the state government to achieve supply of 100 percent potable water across J&K.
Similarly, in the education department, 114 projects, rural development department 147 and the all important health sector has 105 projects pending for want of funds.
In power development department 21 projects are stalled, housing department has 18, Revenue 8, social welfare 1, tourism 12, sheep husbandry 1, technical education 2 , animal husbandry 5, higher education 1, fisheries, youth sports and services 4, labour and horticulture department has 1 project each in need of funds for the approved projects.
A senior planning department official said a high-powered committee in its three meetings convened so far cleared 1014 projects in various sectors across the state involving an investment of Rs 2171 crore.
During its third meeting held recently, 458 languishing projects worth Rs 789 crore were cleared for funding through the JKIDFC.
During the same meeting, the committee cleared 196 projects of PHE department costing Rs 224.26 crore, 169 projects of R&B department for Rs 271.30 crore, 76 projects of irrigation & flood control department for Rs 188.77 crore, 13 projects of school education department costing Rs 6 crore and 4 projects of industries & commerce department costing Rs 98 crore.