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United News of India
5 hours ago
- Politics
- United News of India
No room for compromise on quality of development works: J&K Dy CM to officers
Jammu, June 20 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary asked engineers on Friday to follow the work completion deadlines so that the vital projects are dedicated to the public in time. Chairing a comprehensive review meeting of the Public Works Department here, focusing on the progress on development projects in Jammu Division under NABARD PMGSY, CRIF, Bridges and C&T (Macadamisation) schemes, the Deputy Chief Minister directed the officers to expedite the progress on all works ensuring their timely completion, maintaining all prescribed quality standards. The meeting was apprised of various projects which are at different stages of execution. The concerned officials provided updates on status of projects while highlighting the challenges being faced during implementation of these vital works. 'Instructions have already been given to the executing agencies for strict adherence to the approved plans, ensuring there should be no compromise with the quality of works. Strict action would be initiated in case of any deviation and low quality works', maintained the Deputy Chief Minister. While inspecting the ongoing works, the Deputy Chief Minister directed officials to conduct strict quality monitoring and ensure fast paced execution of the projects. He further directed the engineers concerned to review progress on the projects regularly and blacklist those contractors who are not showing satisfactory performance. While asking for undertaking developmental works in consonance with the local needs and aspirations, the Deputy Chief Minister said developmental plans should be formulated in consonance with the demands and convenience of people of the area. Taking serious note of alleged substandard work on some of the projects, the Dy CM emphasised that there is no room for compromise with the quality of work. Regarding delay in work execution caused due to forest clearance issues, the Dy CM directed the officers concerned to coordinate effectively and ensure timely approvals on this count. He directed all the divisions to work in close coordination to resolve the issues hindering the pace of progress on these ambitious projects. Secretary PWD (R&B) Bhupinder Kumar along with Chief Engineers, Superintendent Engineers, Executive Engineers and senior officials from concerned agencies were present during the meeting. Later, the Deputy Chief Minister visited Samba to inspect the damaged road on National Highway near Chichi Mata. The Dy CM enquired about the shortcomings in the previous designs and asked the officers to fix accountability of the executing agency responsible for the damage. He maintained that providing enhanced road connectivity, reliable bridges and other infrastructure for sustainable and inclusive socio-economic growth is the priority of the Omar Abdullah government. UNI VBH SSP
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Business Standard
11 hours ago
- Business Standard
ED seizes 322 mule accounts, dummy firms in ₹2K cr 'Delhi classroom scam'
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), during its search operations on June 18, 2025, at 37 locations across Delhi under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in the 'Delhi Classroom Construction Scam', recovered 322 bank passbooks linked to mule accounts opened in the names of labourers and used to divert government funds under the guise of legitimate transactions. 'Furthermore, forged letterheads of various private contractors and shell entities, which were used to generate fake procurement records and fictitious purchase bills, were found and seized. Evidence relating to fake invoices submitted to Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) departments, showing inflated or entirely bogus claims, was found and seized,' said an ED press statement. The ED initiated investigation on the basis of a First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Anti-Corruption Branch, GNCTD, against Manish Sisodia (the then education minister), Satyendar Jain (the then public works department minister), and others pertaining to financial misappropriation exceeding Rs 2,000 crore in the construction of approximately 12,748 additional classrooms by the Public Works Department (PWD), Government of NCT of Delhi, between 2015 and 2023. The ED further said that several dummy firms were found during the search which had no real infrastructure, documentation or operational legitimacy, but were shown to have received substantial payments for construction activities relating to the additional classrooms. 'Additionally, substantial incriminating documents and digital evidence have been recovered and seized during the search,' said the ED. 'Despite an initial requirement for 2,405 classrooms, the project scope was arbitrarily increased to 7,180 equivalent classrooms, and subsequently to 12,748 rooms without proper sanction or approvals, resulting in massive cost escalations,' said the ED press statement. The ED further said that there was unjustified adoption of richer specifications proposed by M/s Babbar & Babbar Associates, and execution of duplicate and inflated works. Cost escalations of up to 49.03 per cent were observed across Priority-I and Priority-II phases. During the operation, the investigative agency unearthed substantial incriminating evidence from the premises of private contractors. 'Among the materials seized were original departmental files belonging to the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi, as well as rubber stamps bearing the names and designations of officials from the Public Works Department (PWD),' said the ED.
Time of India
12 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
BBMP grant: Temple jewels to be secured in new strong room; additional facilities for priests and tourists planned at Talacauvery
MADIKERI: A strong room is under construction in Talacauvery, an important religious place in Kodagu, to keep the precious jewels of the temples. Many years ago, when BBMP leaders visited Talacauvery, they gave a grant of Rs. 1 crore for the development of the area. Using this money, the construction of the much-needed strong room has now begun. Along with this, a water storage tank is also being built to provide drinking water during the summer in the Talacauvery area. Although there is already a tank in the area, another tank is being built as the water runs out in necessary situations. Preparations are underway to construct a 12-foot-high, 70-foot-long barrier wall on the western side of the strong room. Currently, in this BBMP-funded project, a room is being built for a security guard to protect the gold and jewellery, which will be kept in the strong room, said Assistant Engineer of the Public Works Department D.M. Girish, who is in charge of the works. More room for priests After the house of late Narayanachar, who was the previous Chief Priest in the area, was washed away, the priests have requested suitable residential facilities for the priests. Girish said that the construction of one house for Archaks on this land is included in this project. According to him, space has been left for the construction of more houses for the priests. But the money available with the BBMP grant is not enough to build these houses now. He confirmed that there are opportunities to build houses and provide facilities in the future. Kodi Motaiah, the Prapathegar of Talacauvery, explained that the officials have decided that ornaments from Bhagamandala during the Talacauvery festival can be kept in this strong room at Talacauvery for about a month. Only if the administrative committee takes a decision, the ornaments can be kept permanently in this strong room. But he said that compliance is possible only after receiving instructions from the administrative officers. Meanwhile, steps have been taken to develop the Yatri Nivas building in Bhagamandala for the convenience of tourists. Girish explained that the construction of rooms will be carried out with the present available grant of Rs. 80 lakh.
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Delhi's waterlogging nightmare: 71 problematic sites still flooded despite drain work; flagged for urgent review
NEW DELHI: Public Works Department (PWD) has pinpointed 71 critical locations out of about 350 waterlogging-prone areas that continue to face problems despite initial cleaning. These sites will be reviewed with various departments during a coordination meeting on Friday, according to officials familiar with the matter. Representatives from PWD, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Delhi Jal Board, Delhi Metro, Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board, National Highway Authorities of India and the irrigation and industries departments will participate in the meeting to address the waterlogging concerns. Among the 71 locations are several points spanning Mathura Road, Ring Road and Outer Ring Road. These include Modi Mill flyover, Mukarba Chowk, Rajghat, IP flyover, Boulevard Road, Salimgarh Fort, Chatta Rail Chowk on SP Mukherjee Road, Majnu ka Tila, Siri Fort traffic signal, and Qutub Minar metro station. The main Burari Road remains one of the worst affected, with a major upgradation of the existing drain urgently required. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free Trial Dexcom Try Now Undo In Ashok Vihar market, the situation persists despite letters written to DSIIDC seeking a permanent solution. Boulevard Road also faces regular water accumulation, with MCD yet to desilt a major drain in the area. On Vikas Marg, desilting and the laying of a new pipeline are currently underway in an attempt to resolve the issue, according to govt sources. At Tilak Marg under Tilak Bridge, the problem is attributed to the area's low-lying geography, making it naturally prone to water accumulation. A similar concern affects the stretch under Modi Mill flyover, where desilting work is in progress. The stretch from Moti Bagh to Durga Bai Deshmukh metro station witnesses waterlogging due to the connection of a sewer line of DUSIB in the stormwater drain. Drain-laying work is also on at the old Delhi Police headquarters-IP flyover stretch. Mangi Bridge on Ring Road is also affected, as desilting is being carried out and a pump is planned to be deployed. At Barapullah drain near Seva Nagar, the blockage caused by leaves and silt was recently addressed through desilting. In Greater Kailash 1, near B2 block, necessary arrangements for deploying a pump have been completed. Near the Satya Niketan bus stand, outfall line and sump work have been completed, but the installation of an electric motor is pending. Under Delhi Cantt metro station, the connection of a sewer line with the stormwater drain has caused waterlogging. The issue was formally communicated to the metro station staff. The 71 critical hotspots also include 13 areas along Ring Road, 11 along Rohtak and New Rohtak Road, nine areas along Outer Ring Road, and three along Mall Road Extension. Other stretches of concern include IP Road, BRT Road, Avtar Singh Marg, main Goyla Road, Bhairon Marg, Anuvrat Marg, Burari Marg and Najafgarh Road. A senior PWD official said that the meeting is being held to discuss and resolve the inter-departmental issues involved in taking remedial actions in respect of the 71 waterlogging points in Delhi. "In some areas, the problem was identified and some solutions were also implemented while in other areas, pumps have been deployed as of now," said the official. He added that the meeting will help solve the issue of multiplicity of agencies. PWD manages about 2,026 km of drains running along the 1,400 km of roads, which merge with big drains under the irrigation department that have outfall in the Yamuna river.
The Print
18 hours ago
- Politics
- The Print
Submit proposals for road infrastructure development by Jun 30: UP CM to officials
'Proposals under the Public Works Department's 18 flagship schemes should be submitted by June 30,' the chief minister said. He also instructed district magistrates to work in close coordination with local public representatives to ensure that the proposals reflect the specific needs of each region, an official statement said. Lucknow, Jun 20 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials of all districts to submit proposals for road infrastructure development under the Public Works Department's schemes by June 30. At a review meeting, he highlighted that the 18 key schemes of the PWD include widening of roads connecting blocks and tehsils, improving district roads and state highways, and construction of industrial and logistics parks. Emphasising the timely submission of proposals, the chief minister stressed that development planning should be driven by local priorities, not political boundaries. Reaffirming his commitment to inclusive development, Adityanath directed that each of the 403 assembly constituencies should directly benefit from at least two to three major schemes. He said that local representatives should conduct 'Bhoomi Pujan' or foundation stone laying ceremonies to foster greater public participation in the development process. Highlighting the importance of linking religious tourism with economic empowerment, the chief minister directed the officials to annually select the top 50 religious sites across the state and prioritise road construction and infrastructure strengthening to improve access. He noted that enhanced connectivity to these sites would not only enrich the cultural experience of visitors but also stimulate the local economy, the statement said. Adityanath underscored the need to adopt an integrated approach to road connectivity across the state. He emphasised road quality and maintenance, directing that no road in the state should have potholes. To ensure timely execution and high quality of development works, the chief minister instructed all DMs to appoint a nodal officer in each district responsible for conducting weekly reviews of project progress. He also mandated the compulsory presence of public representatives in monthly and bi-monthly review meetings to strengthen transparency and accountability. The chief minister issued strict directives to identify tainted or suspicious contractors, thoroughly investigate them, and take appropriate action where necessary, the statement said. PTI ABN RHL This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
