Jahangeer Ganaie
Pulwama, Nov 19: Even after an elapse of four years, a mini-secretariat in Tral town of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district has been awaiting completion as the work was stopped two years ago.
The mini-secretariat was sanctioned in the area in 2017 with an estimated cost of Rs 7 crore, however, with no funds available the project is nowhere near completion.
Locals said that the mini-secretariat was sanctioned with an aim to provide all services in Tral and to cut down travel time to district headquarters Pulwama which is around 30 Kms from Tral.
Locals said that a land which was under horticulture department was given for the purpose of the mini secretariat but now over four years have passed and it is nowhere near completion.
“Even after completion of four years, only 30 percent work has been done and since last two years work is on complete halt,” locals said.
“Even for minor work, we are forced to visit Pulwama which is a waste of our money as well as our time,” a local resident, Junaid Ahmad said. “The issue has been brought to the attention of the authorities several times but to avail.”
Locals requested higher ups to look into the matter and complete the project as early as possible so that locals can heave a sigh of relief.
Deputy General Manager JKPCC Pulwama Er Masood Ahmad said that before abrogation of Article 370 local MLA had given Rs 1 crore for the project which is the only money they have received so far.
“After 5 August, 2019, the project doesn’t exist in any scheme. However, we have completed the process to include it in languishing projects which haven’t been approved yet,” Masood said.
“We are hopeful that it will be approved soon and funds will be made available so that work on the project can be restarted,” he said.
