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.