Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, April 10 

Only about 40 percent of road and bridge projects sanctioned in Jammu and Kashmir under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund were completed over more than two decades, with auditors citing delays, poor planning, and financial irregularities.

A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India said 117 of 292 projects approved between 2000 and 2019 were completed as of March 2022, while 175 remained unfinished despite a three-year completion target under the scheme.

The audit found that out of 208 projects sanctioned between 2000-01 and 2016-17, only 115 had been completed, even though they were scheduled for completion between 2003-04 and 2019-20.

It attributed the delays largely to a lack of prioritization by the Public Works Department (Roads and Buildings), which resulted in both ongoing and newly sanctioned projects remaining incomplete.

The report also highlighted a range of deficiencies, including approval of ineligible projects, deviations from prescribed rules, weak financial management and execution without required clearances. 

In several cases, projects were taken up without technical sanction, forest clearances or ensuring encumbrance-free land.

Auditors flagged irregular bidding practices, noting that bids for 75 projects were significantly lower than estimated costs, in some cases by up to 42 percent. 

Of these, 24 projects worth over 2.1 billion rupees were awarded despite being considered liable for cancellation.

The report also pointed to shortfalls in performance security deposits, with only a portion of the required guarantees obtained for more than 100 contracts executed between 2012 and 2022.

In addition, dozens of projects were sanctioned before land acquisition or relocation of utilities was completed, and some saw changes in scope without approval from authorities.

The audit said 66 of 76 projects reviewed were approved before land acquisition was finalized, while 24 lacked forest clearance. 

It also found instances of excess material use and non-compliance with road design standards, leading to avoidable expenditure and added financial burden on the government.

Despite a backlog of incomplete projects, the report said authorities sanctioned hundreds of new projects in 2017-18 and 2018-19, diverting limited funds and contributing to delays in both old and new works.

According to the audit, about 2.28 billion rupees was spent on new projects during this period, leaving insufficient funds to complete 93 ongoing works and most of the newly approved ones.

Officials from the Public Works Department said projects were prioritised based on local requirements and consultations with public representatives, and that initiating new works alongside ongoing ones was necessary.

However, auditors said this approach was inconsistent with rules governing the fund, which provide for fixed annual allocations and require prioritisation of projects likely to be completed within set timelines.

The department later acknowledged during discussions with auditors that limited funding and the reorganization of the former state into two union territories had affected project execution. 

It also said some proposals submitted after 2018-19 were withdrawn to focus on completing ongoing works.

The Central Road and Infrastructure Fund, established under a law enacted in 2000 and later expanded in 2018, finances development of highways, state roads and related infrastructure through levies on fuel.