Leh: Administrative Secretary, PWD/R&B, UT Ladakh, Baseer-ul-Haq Choudhary, today chaired separate review meetings to assess the progress of major infrastructure projects being executed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Public Works Department (PWD) and Central Public Works Department (CPWD) across Ladakh.
The meetings focused on physical and financial progress, pending works, land acquisition, clearances, fund utilisation, liabilities, completion timelines and field-level bottlenecks.
Reviewing BRO projects, the Administrative Secretary directed the concerned officers to expedite ongoing works, ensure timely processing of DPRs, land acquisition and wildlife clearance proposals, and reconcile all financial figures before submitting proposals. He stressed that avoidable delays in processing should not affect project implementation.
Among the projects reviewed were the Turtuk–Zingpal Road, Batalik–Turtuk stretch, Kargil–Dumgil/Dungail Road, projects in Drass and works under BRO Project Himank, besides requirements relating to widening, tunnels, bridges, roads and helipads.
Choudhary directed officers to take up pending land acquisition cases with district administrations on priority, ensure timely shifting of utilities and coordinate with the Planning and Finance Departments for reallocation of funds and other financial requirements. He also directed efficient utilisation of sanctioned funds and timely submission of utilisation certificates.
Reviewing Project Himank, he directed that allocated packages be expedited for targeted completion, including identified works by the end of September wherever feasible, and that completed works be formally closed after fulfilment of all required formalities.
The Administrative Secretary also reviewed Law and Justice Department works being executed by PWD, including the District Court Complexes at Leh and Kargil and Court Complexes at Drass, Sankoo and Zanskar. He directed officers to furnish component-wise details of completed and pending works, prepare clear completion schedules and expedite civil and mechanical works.
He further directed proper certification and completion of all required components before handing over court facilities for operationalisation, besides strengthening online monitoring and ensuring timely updating of project-related information.
Reviewing CPWD works being implemented on behalf of PWD, Choudhary directed that a comprehensive, regularly updated database of all projects be maintained, clearly reflecting scope, physical progress, expenditure and expected completion dates. He stressed close coordination between CPWD and PWD, particularly during completion and handing over of assets.
The Administrative Secretary also directed authorities to address road encroachments, signage and road-safety issues, expedite the Forensic Laboratory and Tourist Facilitation Centre projects, and maintain proper documentation, including photographic evidence and expenditure details.
Emphasising accountability and timely execution, Choudhary directed officers to undertake site visits wherever necessary, resolve field-level issues promptly and ensure strict adherence to approved project scopes.
The meetings were attended by Chief Engineer, PWD Abdul Mutalib; Chief Engineer, Project Himank, Brigadier Rajiv Ahlawat; Chief Engineer, Project Vijayak, Brigadier Rahul; Secretary, Law and Justice Tariq Mehmood Qureshi; Joint Director, Planning Tsering Angdus; Superintending Engineers and senior officers of PWD, BRO, CPWD and other concerned departments.
