The Jammu and Kashmir Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation (JKIDFC) Ltd. has instructed the relevant departments to expedite the completion of the languishing scheme projects from the previous financial year. Funding for projects beyond June 2023 will be challenging, except in extraordinary circumstances. The Managing Director of JKIDFC reviewed the projects that have experienced delays beyond the revised timelines, even though they were scheduled to be completed by April of this year.
It is astonishing to see that, even after years of initiation, some projects have made progress of less than 20 percent. The list of unfinished projects includes important infrastructure such as one-bedroom flats, primary health centres, NTPHC, Udhampur University Campus Academic Block, Bus Stand Ganderbal, tube wells, various water supply schemes, and rural roads. It is difficult to comprehend why the concerned departments fail to grasp the seriousness of the situation. This lack of seriousness reflects the indifferent attitude of officials, who seem to be neglecting the impact of these incomplete projects on the lives of the general public.
One must understand that incomplete projects result in the wastage of financial resources as funds allocated for these projects remain tied up without delivering the intended outcomes. This hampers the efficient utilisation of resources and prevents their allocation to other pressing developmental needs. All this directly impedes the development of critical infrastructure such as roads, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and water supply systems. This, in turn, affects the overall quality of life for the residents and hinders economic growth and investment opportunities in the region. Incomplete projects fail to provide the intended socio-economic benefits to the local population. Unfinished healthcare facilities mean inadequate access to medical services, while delayed road projects impede transportation and connectivity, limiting trade and economic activities and directly impacting sectors such as agriculture, tourism, or industry.
When projects remain incomplete for extended periods, it erodes the confidence of both investors and the local population in the administration. This loss of confidence can deter private investments and hamper economic growth, further exacerbating development challenges. All this creates a negative perception of the Government’s ability to execute and deliver development initiatives. The time and resources spent on incomplete projects could have been utilised for other priority projects or initiatives.
Though these projects are not major projects from a financial perspective, they are of great importance for the affected local population. It is only a dream for certain populations to have a primary health centre, a proper road, tap water, or proper drinking water in their homes. With so many projects ordered to be closed after a certain amount of work, there is a substantial waste of funds that should be recovered from the concerned officials. Fixing accountability is the key to the fate of future projects as well. The cascading consequences are beyond comprehension, and such strict action is the need of the hour.
Incomplete projects signify missed development opportunities for the region. It hampers the progress of socioeconomic development, infrastructure modernization, and the overall well-being of the general public. To mitigate all these negative impacts, it is crucial to prioritise the timely completion of projects, ensure effective project management and monitoring, allocate resources efficiently, and address any bottlenecks or challenges that impede project progress. Only by doing so can Jammu and Kashmir accelerate its development and improve the well-being of its residents.
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