Peace is very essential for the economic development of any political unit. And with the peace, the other requirements for its implementation are the presence of motivation, dedication and transparency among the executors of a particular project and plan. Though the disturbances of law and order are also other factors responsible for slow economic growth in the valley but for long we have seen that developmental projects are mostly not completed in time due to the indecisions and apathy of the planners and officers responsible for their execution. Whether these projects pertain to construction of buildings, roads, bridges or power grid stations, their target dates always remain illusive. The delays are responsible for not achieving the timely desired results from these developmental projects. Let me quote few projects which are still awaiting to meet their target dates for want of completion. The delay has badly hit the completion of some of our bridges, roads and particularly projects relating to the strengthening of receiving and distribution of power causing much woes to the consumers in harsh winter season. The shortages of snowfall in winter and rains during spring and summer in valley do some time create shortages in power generation and drinking water supply which further adds to the miseries of the people.
All successive governments have failed so far in enhancing the transmission and supply capacity of power in valley because of apathy of the concerned authorities to take timely decisions, resulting in delays in completion of these projects. During the recent power crisis, the union government had agreed to give additional supply of power to state to make up the shortages but due to poor import capacity and infra structure, the state could not make best use of their offer. Had the construction of two power grid stations in Kashmir at Alsteng and Budgam, as already approved by the union government long back, been completed, the woes of the people would have mitigated to a great extent. Keeping poor infrastructure and harsh winters in view, the regular and sufficient supply of electricity is a must for making the people comfortable particularly during winters in Kashmir and summers in Jammu. The completion of theses two grid stations would have increased the power handling capacity by additional 450 MW. The approval of construction of several grid station in the state to enhance the transmission and supply capacity was approved by the then UPA government in 2006. It is because of the lackadaisical attitude on the part of our political bosses, concerned bureaucrats and technical experts, who are at the helm of affairs that these project have not seen the light of the day. Also the failure of the coalition partners to retrieve two power projects from NHPC, which is an important ingredient of the AOA, has further disappointed the people of state.
One more shocking news report is that the construction of Shalteng bridge over river Jehlum still awaits completion. The construction of this bridge was started in the year 2008 and has missed several deadlines. As per the news report the construction of this 193 meter long bridge was initially started with the administrative approval for 148 meters and is pending completion for approval of additional 45 meters. This will indicate the height of apathy shown by the concerned bureaucrats and technical experts in the completion of the project since 2008, the year when the project was conceived.
The incompletion of Rawalpora– Bagimethab bridge on Doodganga river is a glaring instance of callousness on the part of authorities concerned. It was damaged in 2014 floods and the construction work on new bridge has been abandoned with only two embankments completed. The old bridge has become most unsafe for vehicular traffic and is a scar on the face of concerned PWD agency. Despite on query asked on the face book about completion of this project some time back, the present minister I/C PWD had replied that it is under fabrication. How many years it will take more for the department to complete the fabrication of few meters span bridge, only the concerned minister knows.
The selection of unsuitable land for Central University in Ganderbal district, itself speaks volumes of apathy and callousness on the part of authorities concerned. The national level university is still run in rented buildings at different places which is badly telling upon the quality of education of students under going various courses.
The first phase of Jehangir chowk–Rambagh fly-over has also missed several deadlines since the work began in 2013. No doubt the 2014 floods and 2016 turmoil has affected the early completion of the project but the work should have been taken on war footing to ease the people of Srinagar from their woes which they face daily due to traffic congestion. Firstly there was no need of constructing this flyover, as had this part of road widened and made four ways, besides the road from Batamallo to Rambagh via Alluchibagh been improved and connected with construction of one more bridge over flood channel at old Barzalla, would have involved less money and time.
In the past Srinagar was also known as the city of seven bridges. But now the time has come that it will be called as the city of foot bridges. The present government has so far completed the third foot bridge over river Jehlum lying within half a Kms of distance with each other and was not required at all. The city needs vehicular bridges to disperse the traffic and ease the congestion. Zero bridge after repairs could have been used for light vehicular traffic. The newly constructed bridge near Convent School at Rajbag which was initially constructed for vehicular traffic has been converted into foot bridge involving loss of millions of rupees. The sideways could have been developed as footpaths besides using for vehicular traffic like Abdullah and Budhshah bridges, it would have also served for two-in- one purposes.
This all is happening because of the apathy of rulers, concerned bureaucrats and experts. Similarly the delay in setting up of two medical colleges in the rural districts of south and north Kashmir is also awaiting to take shape and therefore affecting the health sector of Kashmir province. The completion of these colleges would definitely reduce the rush of patients on GMC Srinagar and SKIMS Soura, from rural areas. As per the SVC, the non-responsiveness of various departments in disposing of the departmental enquiries referred by the vigilance commission, has badly affected the accountability of the officers. And with the result the D.ES are piling up in thousands with the government departments. The situation has further been worsened by creating impediments by the bureaucrats in implementation of various provisions of J&K State Vigilance Act. Recently even the governor of the state, while making his presidential address at a function in Jammu also conveyed his annoyance over the slackness in administrative machinery in delaying execution of projects, which is adversely affecting the delivery system and asked the officers concerned to work in transparent and accountable manner. The rulers therefore need to make the bureaucracy and other government machinery vibrant and accountable so as to show more positive results.
(The author is former IGP)