Omar flags slow pace of works in Anantnag, asks officials to meet deadlines

‎Anantnag, Oct 22 : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday flagged the need to accelerate development works in Anantnag, saying a review of projects in the district had revealed that execution needed to pick up pace over the next two to three months, with the approaching winter leaving little time for construction activities.
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‎Speaking to reporters after chairing a district development review meeting at Anantnag, Abdullah said that while the overall progress of development works was satisfactory, officials had been directed to make full use of the remaining working season.
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‎“There is still time before the financial year ends, but we do not have much of the working season left. Fortunately, the weather is good, and officers have been instructed to take advantage of it,” he said.
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‎The Chief Minister said the administration needed to ensure that funds allocated for development projects were utilised within the stipulated period.
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‎He said the meeting was primarily intended to assess the status of ongoing works rather than mark the inauguration of new projects.
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‎Among the issues discussed was the proposed maternity and child hospital in Anantnag, which has yet to move forward despite funds being available.
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‎Abdullah said the land initially identified at Janglat Mandi had been found insufficient for the proposed hospital, forcing the administration to look for an alternative location.
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‎“The money is ready. Now only the location needs to be finalised,” he said.
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‎The Chief Minister said the concerned department had been asked to identify the most feasible site. He added that the matter would be taken up with the Health Department to enable work on the hospital to begin at the earliest.
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‎On the demand for a new administrative facility in Anantnag town, Abdullah said almost all legislators had raised the issue during the meeting.
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‎He said the Deputy Commissioner had been directed to consult elected representatives, civil society members and other local stakeholders before arriving at a decision on the location.
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‎“Once the location is finalised, we will start preparing the Detailed Project Report,” he said.
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‎Abdullah said the legislators attending the review meeting had also raised several constituency-specific demands, which the government would examine.
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‎During the visit, 11 water supply schemes were inaugurated, while foundation stones were laid for other development projects.
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‎Asked about the demand for a full-fledged cricket stadium in Anantnag capable of hosting Ranji Trophy matches, the Chief Minister said the matter had not figured in the review meeting.
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‎“No one raised the issue of a stadium in today’s meeting. If a proposal comes, we will certainly discuss it,” he said.(KNS)