J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti urges ERA to complete project within fixed timelines

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has stressed on strict adherence to timelines to ensure there is no delay in commissioning of projects in the state.

Urging the Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) to strictly adhere to fixed timelines, the chief minister instructed Planning Department to monitor the pace of work on a fortnightly basis, an official spokesman said here today.

Mehbooba also pressed for devising an effective mechanism which binds contractors to deliver projects on time, as the state government cannot afford any spillover of externally-aided projects funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB) to the State Plan, if they stretch beyond March 31, 2017.

ERA should mobilize men and machinery to ensure that there is no delay in commissioning of the projects within fixed timelines, she said.

The chief minister passed these directions yesterday while chairing a high-level meeting to review the progress of works taken up by J&K ERA under Loan-I and Loan-II, funded by ADB under its Multi-Tranche Funding Pattern, the spokesman said.

Asking ERA to broaden the scope of its activities, Mehbooba said the Special Purpose Vehicle was created with the primary objective to fast-track urban infrastructure projects for creation of durable assets as well as becoming a model for other executing agencies in successfully implementing the projects.

She said given the limited financial resources available, it would be difficult for the state government to take over ongoing ADB projects if they are not completed within the stipulated time frame.

Financial Commissioner Planning and Monitoring Department (FCPM) would monitor the ongoing works on fortnightly basis to ensure that there was no further delay and that all ongoing projects would be fully completed on time, she said, adding, she would chair the next full review of ERA projects in July this year.

On current status of work on prestigious flyovers in the two capital cities of the state, for which an amount of Rs 385 crore has been sanctioned, the Chief Minister was informed that ERA is expediting the pace of work so that these are completed by March, 2017.

The project had received a setback due to 2014 floods as heavy machinery involved in its construction was completely submerged.