JAMMU, APRIL 02: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary announced that a tunnel connecting Machil Sector to hinterland at Z-Gali has been sanctioned under the 'Other than Capital Acquisition' head with preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) is underway for its inclusion in the Annual Works Plan (AWP) 2026-27.
The Deputy Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by Legislator, Qaysar Jamshaid Lone in the Legislative Assembly today. He said that the Machil (Machhal) area experiences heavy snowfall during winter months, which affects the connectivity and poses difficulties for the residents. He added that an institutional mechanism is in place to address the essential requirements during winters, with advance planning and necessary arrangements made to ensure availability of basic services, including healthcare and essential supplies.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that representations for construction of Lolab–Bandipora Tunnel have been received from the local population, citing its strategic and connectivity importance. Rs 136.67 lakh spent on sports infra in past 3 yrs in Billawar constituency: Satish Sharma An amount of Rs. 136.67 lakh has been spent on promotion and upgradation of sports infrastructure in Billawar constituency during the past three years. This information was given by Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma, while replying to a question raised by Legislator Satish Kumar Sharma in the Legislative Assembly today. He said that the department has already distributed 149 sports kits in different schools and clubs in the said constituency.
He added that the department also conducts trail/selection camps and talent hunt programmes at school and zone level on a regular basis. “During the current financial year 2025-26, playfields have been developed in the constituency including construction and upgradation of playground at HS Lohai with an allotted cost of Rs 5.48 lakh and construction of Synthetic Volleyball Court at Government HSS Dhar Dugnoo with an alloted cost of Rs 8.81 lakh”, informed the Deputy CM. He added that several works are under execution like construction of practice pitch, competition pitch and volleyball court and allied works at playfield Billawar amounting Rs. 35.00 lakh approved under CAPEX. Besides, construction of a playfield at Ridi ward number 7 Panchayat Malti block Billawar district approved under CAPEX worth Rs 20. 00 lakh is also being done on war footing. The Minister further said that 53 awareness programmes, sports activities and other competitions have been held in the constituency in the past three years.
He further said that sports activities would be given a huge fillip in the rural and border areas. Rs 109.22 cr allocated for roads across South Kashmir constituencies: Deputy Chief Minister Says 268.67 km road macadamized last year; Rs 98.71 cr Lassipora–Litter–Sangam road project underway Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, today said that Rs. 109.22 crore funds have been allocated for the road construction works across South Kashmir constituencies during the financial year 2025-26. He added that macadimization of about 268.67 kilometre road length was carried out across South Kashmir during this period.
The Deputy Chief Minister, was replying to a question raised by MLA, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Mir in the Legislative Assembly. He said that the work has been done under sectors like Cities and Towns, Potholes, UT Road Sector, NABARD, CRIF and District Capex. He added that on the recommendation of the MLA Rajpora, a project proposal for widening and upgradation of Lassipora–Litter–Sangam road covering a length of 14 km, at an estimated cost of Rs. 98.71 crore, has been received by the department and is presently under consideration. The Deputy Chief Minister said that the DPR for construction of 15 km Kandipathri–Shidak Shrine Road project has been prepared at an estimated cost of Rs. 48.26 crore. He added that a major portion of the proposed alignment falls under the forest area and, therefore, requires mandatory forest clearance prior to execution. He further said that the DPR for widening and upgradation of Lassipora–Litter–Sangam road has been prepared at an estimated cost of Rs. 98.71 crore under CRIF. He added that the existing carriageway width of about 5.5 meter is inadequate in view of the heavy traffic, particularly due to the presence of Industrial Growth Centre (IGC), Lassipora. Further, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the proposals are under consideration of the department which is ascertaining the feasibility and availability of the resources. Rs 68.34 lakh approved for infrastructure in 9 schools of Ramgarh Constituency: Sakeena Itoo Says numerous measures undertaken to ensure 100% enrolment at Primary level Minister for Education, Sakeena Itoo, today informed the House that nine schools in Ramgarh Constituency have been approved for creation of various infrastructure facilities with a financial implication of Rs. 68.34 lakh under Samagra Shiksha.
The Minister said this while replying to a question raised by Legislator Balwant Singh Mankotia on behalf of MLA Dr. Devinder Manyal in the Legislative Assembly regarding status of schools in border areas. She informed that the School Education department has initiated numerous measures to bring children to schools and ensure 100% enrolment at Primary level. She added that steps are being taken to address the declining enrolment in schools like conduct of enrolment drives by DSEJ/K, identification of out of School Children through door-to-door survey and their mainstreaming through direct enrolment and establishment of seasonal centres for the children of tribal migratory population to prevent learning disruption during the migratory period. The Minister also said that free uniforms and text books are being provided to around 8 lakh children, Mid-Day Meal under PM POSHAN to every child from pre-primary sections to Class 8th as well as scholarship is being provided to the girl students under the Beti Anmol Scheme to encourage the girl’s education at Senior Secondary Level. She added that the school buildings and land rendered vacant due to the merger of schools has been handed over to the concerned District Administration for utilization by the other departments.
The Minister also said that there is no proposal for up-gradation of schools to next higher level from Primary to Middle, Middle to High and High to Higher Secondary including the schools of border areas, as the School Education Department is focusing on creation of required infrastructure and providing staff to all the schools especially the upgraded ones. She added that as and when there is any proposal for up-gradation of existing schools, the feasible schools of border areas shall also be examined for consideration. The Minister also said that nine schools of border villages falling in Samba district have been proposed for up-gradation in terms of infrastructure and other facilities under Vibrant Village Programme (VVP-II). Kalakote–Sunderbani sees boost in PHE, I&FC works Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, today informed the Legislative Assembly that significant progress has been achieved in execution of works under various funding schemes like UT CAPEX, SDRF, BDC, CDF and District CAPEX in Kalakote–Sunderbani constituency of district Rajouri. He stated this while replying to a question raised by MLA Randhir Singh regarding fund utilization in Kalakote-Sunderbani constituency. The Minister said that under the UT CAPEX, an amount of Rs 350.15 lakh has been released, against which an expenditure of Rs 107.18 lakh has been incurred, so far, on PHE Jammu works in respect of the Kalakote-Sundernbani constituency Elaborating, the Minister said that under district CAPEX, CDF, BDC and SDRF funds to the tune of Rs 110.47 lakh have been released and all the approved works have been completed.
The Minister further apprised the House of the status of works under execution in Kalakote–Sunderbani constituency by the Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department, stating that several projects are at different stages of implementation. He informed that a list of damages to the infrastructure projects in Kalakote-Sundernbani constituency has been submitted to the Finance Department for necessary consideration. Regarding SASCI proposals, the Minister said that works amounting Rs 226.16 lakh have been submitted for Kalakote–Sunderbani constituency in respect of I&FC Jammu. He also stated that separate proposals have been submitted to the Finance Department for works under I&FC Jammu. Responding to the concerns raised by the concerned legislator, the Minister asserted that the government is committed to equitable distribution of resources across all constituencies. He maintained that all the projects in the constituency are being taken up in a balanced manner, adding that sustained efforts have been made to ensure timely completion of works. Reiterating the government’s commitment, he said that every region is being facilitated on equal footing with development initiatives being guided by people’s welfare.
J&K Cancer institutes, Oncology departments strictly functioning as per TMC guidelines: Sakeena Itoo Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, today said that the Cancer institutes and Oncology departments in Jammu and Kashmir are functioning as Day Care Centres exclusively for the administration of chemotherapy for solid tumours and these services are being provided strictly in accordance with the mandatory guidelines issued by Tata Memorial Centre (TMC).
The Minister said this while replying to a question raised by Legislator R.S Pathania in the House today regarding Cancer Treatment Institutes. She informed that all the standard treatment protocols are being meticulously followed for treatment of Cancer patients and there is no violation of any mandatory TMC guidelines, adding that chemotherapy services are being delivered as per the approved norms under the AB-PMJAY Scheme. The Health Minister also informed that the Drugs which are part of Cancer Care of Health Benefit Package Ayushman Bharat PMJAY/SEHAT Scheme are being procured through JKMSCL. She added that all procurements of chemotherapy and supportive drugs are carried out strictly in accordance with the prescribed financial rules, procurement guidelines and established procedures through JKMSCL. She also said that in case of non-availability of drugs, local purchases are resorted to only to meet the emergent clinical requirements in the interest of patientcare and such procurements are duly supported by the requisite technical justifications and approvals as per the prescribed norms. The Minister informed that during the past two years, requests seeking relaxation or modification of existing Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs), wherever received, have been examined on merit and processed strictly as per the prescribed procedure and in consultation with the competent technical authorities. While responding to the supplementary questions of Legislator, the Minister said that all the procurements are being done as per the standard protocols and rules in the health department. Govt adopts zero-tolerance against violation of quality parameters, timely execution: Deputy CM Koteranka-Khawas road gets Rs 344 Lakh repair boost Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, today said that funds amounting Rs. 344.10 lakh have been authorized for permanent restoration of Koteranka–Khawas Road damaged due to flash floods last year. The Deputy Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by Legislator, Javaid Iqbal in the Legislative Assembly. He informed that the government has adopted zero-tolerance approach towards violations of any kind while executing various developmental projects across Jammu and Kashmir.
He added that the departments have been strictly directed to ensure strict enforcement of quality execution of work and action is being taken against the concerned for use of sub- standard material, wherever reported. The Deputy Chief Minister said that funds amounting Rs. 344.10 lakh have been authorized for permanent restoration of Koteranka–Khawas road, which suffered severe damages due to flash floods during the previous year, resulting in erosion of road surface, damage to retaining structures and formation of potholes at several locations. He said that the work has been allotted and is under progress. The Deputy Chief Minister also said that Moughla to Khawas via Patti Nallah Road has been upgraded under PMGSY-III at a cost of Rs. 1484 lakh and was physically completed during 2024. He said the road is presently under the second year maintenance period and patch repairs including laying of premix carpet are in progress.
The remaining 3 km stretch of Khawas-Gundha road was completed in November 2018 with a renewal coat laid in 2023-24. However, parts of the road were damaged due to heavy rainfall in August 2025. The Deputy Chief Minister further said that the funds have been earmarked under Permanent Restoration (PR) works with allocation of Rs. 76.80 lakh for T-01 Moughla–Khawas via Patti Nallah and Rs. 22.40 lakh for Khawas–Gundha Stage-II during 2026–27 and restoration works shall be taken up accordingly. He said that there is no proposal to hand over the road to BRO, as this is presently being maintained by the concerned executing agencies under the existing departmental framework.
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