The Jammu and Kashmir Government admitted it is aware of concerns over poor quality, premature deterioration and delays in completing road projects, even as it terminated nine road contracts for contractual defaults, the Legislative Assembly was informed on Thursday.
The disclosure came in response to a starred question by BJP MLA Sunil Bhardwaj, who asked whether the Government was aware of complaints about poor-quality road works and delays despite substantial public expenditure.
“The Department is aware of such concerns in respect of certain works,” the Public Works (R&B) Department said in its reply.
“Wherever deficiencies, premature deterioration or delays are noticed, the same are examined on a case-to-case basis, and appropriate remedial/contractual action is taken,” it added.
According to the Government, nine road contracts have been terminated, involving works with a combined allotted value of Rs 98.49 crore. The terminations cover works in Billawar, Mehore and Udhampur.
The department said the reasons for such delays and deficiencies are examined individually, with “site-specific conditions, adverse weather, contractual deficiencies or other force majeure circumstances” also taken into account.
The Government also informed the House that action had been taken against defaulting contractors through penalties and debarment. The annexures accompanying the reply list contractors debarred in South Kashmir and North Kashmir, besides a separate list for the Jammu zone.
In South Kashmir, three contractors were debarred for one year, while four contractors were debarred from participating in tenders in North Kashmir during 2025-26. The Jammu zone has also listed contractors found guilty of contractual default.
Responding to the question whether contracts were being awarded merely on the basis of the lowest bid, the department said, “The contracts are not allotted solely on the basis of L1 (Lowest Tendered Cost).”
It said technical capacity, past performance, quality record, available resources and the contractor’s ability to complete the work within the stipulated period were also considered.
On accountability, the Government said action against defaulting contractors may include penalties, recovery of expenditure incurred on rectification, forfeiture of security deposits or performance security, termination of contracts and debarment from future tendering.
It further said that where poor supervision, negligence or dereliction of duty by government officers or engineers is established, “responsibility is fixed and appropriate disciplinary action is initiated under the applicable service rules.”
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