Srinagar, Sep 26: The J&K government has acknowledged the delay in execution of various developmental works in Baramulla town saying only three of 14 sanctioned projects were completed so far.
The government attributed the delay to the land-related disputes, security restrictions, statutory clearances and inter-departmental issues as major impediments.
This was revealed in a reply to a starred question raised by MLA Javid Hassan Baig in the ongoing autumn session of J&K Legislative Assembly.
Baig had asked the physical and financial targets achieved in respect of the ongoing developmental projects in Baramulla town with specific reference to construction of car parking slots, beautification of three entry gates besides other works as well.
The minister in-charge Housing and Urban Development Department informed the Assembly that 14 developmental works with a total project cost of Rs 2,462.67 lacs were taken up under the Capex Budget.
“Against these works, an expenditure of Rs 445.24 lac was incurred up to March 2026, while Rs 25 lakh was utilised during the current financial year against the Rs 130.60 lacs released,” the minister told the Assembly.
The government said three of the 14 works were completed while the remaining projects were at various stages of execution.
The government said that the proposed multi-level car parking facility near the R&B Office, Baramulla has been delayed despite administrative approval being accorded on October 10, 2025.
“The proposed land is under the ownership of PWD (R&B) and has not yet been transferred in favour of the Municipal Council, Baramulla,” the government said.
As per the details, site also contains existing poplar trees requiring valuation by the Forest Department, followed by their auction and removal.
“An old building on the site also requires assessment and disposal through the prescribed procedure,” the minister informed the House.
The government informed the House that these pre-construction and statutory formalities had affected commencement of the project and that the concerned agencies had been directed to complete the requirements on priority.
The government said the construction and development of three entry gates at Baramulla was also hit by site-related complications.
“Administrative approval for the work was accorded on September 20, 2025. The execution of the entry gates at Janbazpora and Khwajabagh was affected following the objections raised by local residents, necessitating shifting of the sites,” the government informed the House.
The minister said objections were subsequently raised at Khanpora by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), requiring modification of the approved drawing and change of location.
The government said joint site visits involving BRO and R&B authorities were conducted on June 13 and June 21, 2026 following whch revised locations were proposed for Khanpora.
“At the newly identified site, work progressed up to the column level but was subsequently stopped after BRO authorities conveyed that the location had been provided inadvertently and could not be permitted for continuation,” the government informed the Assembly.
The government said steps were initiated in coordination with the concerned authorities to identify and finalise suitable alternative locations at Janbazpora and Khanpora so that the works can be taken up and completed without further delay.
The government said that the double-storey office building of Municipal Council Baramulla has faced a prolonged interruption.
The Assembly was informed that the project received administrative approval on December 22, 2021.
“The G+2 skeleton structure was completed in November 2024, after which execution was interrupted pursuant to orders of the High Court in connection with a land dispute between the Municipal Council, Baramulla, and an adjoining property holder,” the minister told the House.
“The work also remained halted up to March 2026 due to security-related restrictions. The Municipal Council subsequently submitted an affidavit in April 2026 undertaking compliance with security conditions prescribed by the Military Authority, following which execution resumed,” the minister added.
The government said the truss work has been completed and brickwork has reached approximately 80 per cent while the remaining work was currently under execution.
“The executing agency has been directed to maintain the pace and complete the balance work at the earliest,” the House was informed..
Asked whether the works were completed within the originally stipulated timeframe, the government said the projects were not completed within the originally envisaged time frame
The government attributed the delays to site-specific, statutory, court-related, security-related and inter-departmental issues, which affected either the commencement or continuity of execution and, to a substantial extent, were beyond the immediate control of the executing agency.
