The Jammu-Akhnoor four-lane road project, sanctioned in 2015 under the Prime Minister’s Development Package, is set to miss yet another deadline, as key components of the project remain incomplete. Despite multiple extensions, including a final deadline of December 31, 2024, announced by the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), the contractor has failed to meet progress expectations.
Work on the critical bridge over the Ranbir Canal near Dumi Malpur has yet to begin, alongside incomplete approaches for another bridge and pending blacktopping of approximately 9 kilometers of the road. With winter setting in, macadamization work is unlikely to resume before March 2025. The contractor, M/s Tarmat Pvt Ltd, has requested a six-month extension, but NHIDCL has taken a firm stance given the prolonged delays.
Originally expected to be completed within two years, the Rs 9.17 billion project has now stretched over six years, with only 12–13% of work remaining. Allegations of poor supervision, delayed payments, and unresolved land acquisition issues have further hampered progress. Additionally, disputes over the design of the Ranbir Canal bridge have stalled construction, prompting a redesign to a steel structure.
The project spans 26.35 km from Jammu’s Bhagwati Nagar to Khati Chowk near Akhnoor, forming part of NH-144A. The contract for a 20.35 km stretch was awarded to M/s Tarmat Ltd in June 2019 for Rs 1.93 billion. Scheduled for completion by mid-2021, the contractor achieved only 30.73% financial progress by July 2021, leading to the company being placed on NHIDCL’s negative list for one year.
NHIDCL officials, including General Manager Col (Retd) SP Sangwan, have confirmed that work on two bridges, including the redesigned Ranbir Canal bridge, is pending. The contractor has been cleared from the negative list, but further delays are anticipated. NHIDCL has emphasised the need for timely resolution of outstanding issues, including pending approvals from the Irrigation Department.
While the project was envisioned as a priority initiative to improve connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir, its repeated delays have drawn criticism. The completion of this vital infrastructure remains uncertain, with potential economic and logistical benefits still unrealised.
(dailyexcelsior)
