Jammu, Feb 12: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Thursday announced that two elevated corridors would be constructed, one each in Jammu and Kashmir to decongest the two capital cities.
He also informed the House that the study and e-auction of Lithium in Reasi was targeted in June 2026.
Choudhary was replying to the debate in the Legislative Assembly on demands for grants of departments under his charge.
With regard to the permanent restoration of damaged road infrastructure in recent floods, mainly affecting Jammu region, an estimate of Rs 1000 Cr was submitted to the Finance department for taking up (restoration) works under SASCI, Choudhary said.
“In the meanwhile, the department has authorized the field agencies to initiate the execution process for works worth over Rs 500 Cr under Priority-I,” he said.
“I personally monitored the permanent restoration of Tawi’s fourth bridge, carried out at an estimated cost of Rs 19.50 Cr besides Jammu-Surinsar-Mansar road revival,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister highlighted key completions including Sanatnagar flyover, 5 bridges in Kupwara, Trenz and Rohomo bridges, Joothana in Kathua and Saiphagla Bridge in Jammu besides two other bridges. Five more bridges are expected to be completed in March 2026, he added. He said that 35 PMGSY-III bridges have been completed, with 15 more due for completion by March 2026. Over 2,500 km of road has been macadamized this financial year.
“In the budget for 2026-27, to decongest the Jammu and Srinagar cities, the R&B department has proposed two elevated corridors – one at Jammu and the other at Kashmir under UT capex. Construction of corridor from Convent School at Rajbagh to Sangarmal, Srinagar and from the National Highway Flyover Talab Tillo to Maheshpura Chowk, Jammu. Widening of Boulevard road has already been taken up under CRF, which will be expedited,” he announced.
Maintaining that there was 70 percent improvement in the functioning of the R&B department, he asserted that he won’t tolerate the lapses on this account. “I’ve worked hard to bring the system back on rails. There will be no compromise with quality in the execution of works. Similarly, I would not allow any officers’ nexus with the contractors. I assure the people of J&K from the House and the MLAs that no laxity by officials on any account will be tolerated in all the departments under my charge,” he said.
Earlier BJP MLA Pawan Gupta had alleged that Central Vigilance Commission guidelines were being violated in R&B tenders.
Choudhary highlighted the focus on Industries and Commerce to boost investment and MSME growth and efforts under Mission YUVA to promote entrepreneurship and employment in J&K.
He said that the Skill Development ecosystem was being strengthened to align with the market demand and preserve traditional crafts. Besides, emphasis is being given on sustainable resource utilization and policy reforms for infrastructure growth under the Mining sector.
He informed that the government created over 40,000 km of road network in Jammu and Kashmir to improve surface connectivity, he said.
“Under Chief Minister’s guidance, we have achieved major milestones in J&K’s road infrastructure, completing several long-pending projects and improving the regional connectivity,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that 18 major MoRTH projects are in the pipeline during the current financial year. He added that 22 strategically important projects, primarily bridges have been inaugurated.
The Deputy Chief Minister said 1,145 NABARD projects worth Rs 5,245 Cr have been sanctioned, with 525 completed, including 372 projects completed during the last two years, and 620 ongoing. He informed that 41 projects (32 roads, 9 bridges) have been sanctioned under SASCI, with 4 completed and 37 ongoing. Under Capex 2025-26, 7,068 works were sanctioned, with 3,932 targeted for completion by March 2026.
“The department has received 2276 works having a tentative cost of Rs 2333.7 Cr from the Finance Department on account of demand submitted by the MLAs during budget discussion 2025-26,” he shared with the House. Regarding human resources, the Deputy Chief Minister said key posts like Secretary Technical and 7 Chief Engineers were filled up after 2 years besides several promotions. The department has filled up 34 Superintending Engineer and 89 Executive Engineer posts. It is also in process of filling up posts of over 125 Assistant Executive Engineer and 150 Assistant Engineer in next 2 months.
Speaking on grants for Industries and Commerce Department, the Deputy CM said that this year the department was focusing on grounding investments, strengthening MSMEs, easing business, promoting start-ups and protecting traditional sectors like handloom and handicrafts.
Later, the House passed the grants amounting Rs 5,29,842.67 lakh for Public Works, Rs 86, 615.70 lakh for Industries and Commerce, Rs 28, 526.22 lakh for Labour and Employment, Rs 19,881.72 lakh for Skill Development and Rs 6,492.81 lakh for Mining Departments through a voice vote after the MLAs withdrew their cut motions.
