Bandipora: The construction of the Rs 4 crore mini secretariat in Hajin area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district for Sumbal division that was approved four years ago has witnessed negligible progress due to delay in release of funds.
The locals accused the government of not being concerned about the public issue and said that the construction work had been abandoned for reasons unknown.
“If the approach of the authorities remains such, the work on the project will not be completed for decades,” said Mushtaq Rasool, a local.
According to an official, the project, which aimed to reduce time spent in inter-departmental dealings by bringing the departments closer, was approved in 2016 at a cost of over Rs 4.03 crore.
According to the official, the work was expected to be completed within a year.
“The authorities are not serious about the project and are choking the funds meant for its speedy completion. The project has been prolonged and four years have passed since the work on it was approved. The project may face further delays if the funds are not released,” he said.
Talking to Greater Kashmir, Assistant Executive Engineer, Roads and Buildings department, Sumbal, Manzoor Ahmad admitted that the project had been halted due to lack of funds.
“Work was halted this year in May due to lack of funds,” he said.
The official sources said that the work has not been going on consistently since the project was started and the funding was being approved by the Deputy Commissioner’s office.
Ahmad said that around Rs 1.02 crore had been utilised on the project from which only columns had been erected and some pipes laid.
He said that the bills of the contractors executing the work were also outstanding due to which they could not continue work.
“The work on the project was halted this year in May and is not taking off due to funds not being released from the Deputy Commissioner’s office,” the official said.