Khatana raises issue of irregularities in PMGSY Roads in J&K in RS

STATE TIMES NEWS

NEW DELHI: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Gulam Ali Khatana on Friday raised serious concerns in the Rajya Sabha (RS) regarding alleged irregularities in the construction of roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in Jammu and Kashmir.
Raising the matter during Zero Hour, Khatana highlighted the deteriorating condition of several rural roads constructed under the flagship scheme and urged the Government of India to conduct a comprehensive audit and quality inspection. He said the PMGSY was launched with the objective of providing all-weather road connectivity to rural habitations across the country, including remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
According to information shared in Parliament in February 2026, Jammu and Kashmir has received around Rs 10,155 crore in central assistance under the PMGSY during the past ten years to strengthen rural road connectivity. However, Khatana alleged that despite the significant financial allocation, several roads built under the scheme have developed potholes, cracks and surface damage within a short period after construction.
He said the condition of these roads has raised serious concerns about the quality of construction and monitoring mechanisms. The MP also pointed out that many roads lack proper signboards and grading standards, while timely repair and maintenance often remain confined to official records rather than actual implementation on the ground.
Khatana further alleged that since Omar Abdullah assumed office as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir in October 2024, the administration has adopted a “pick-and-choose” approach in executing road infrastructure projects. According to him, development works are allegedly being concentrated in areas considered political strongholds of the ruling party, while tribal regions and remote habitations continue to remain neglected.
He also expressed concern over what he described as a growing nexus between politicians, contractors and engineers, alleging that contractors with questionable track records are repeatedly awarded road construction projects, resulting in poor-quality work, delays and financial losses to the public exchequer.
Khatana urged the Government of India to conduct a comprehensive audit and third-party quality inspection of PMGSY roads in Jammu and Kashmir. He also called for fixing accountability of contractors and implementing agencies responsible for substandard work, ensuring timely repairs and maintenance, and establishing a mechanism to appoint alternate contractors if existing ones fail to complete projects.
He stressed that durable rural road connectivity is vital for economic development, accessibility and livelihood opportunities for people living in remote and mountainous regions of Jammu and Kashmir.