Demands structural safety audits, quality checks and accountability in migrant colonies
JAMMU, Oct 22: The Panun Kashmir Grievance Cell has raised concerns over the alleged substandard quality of ongoing repair, renovation and development works at Jagti Township and other Kashmiri Hindu migrant colonies in Jammu, demanding an independent technical inquiry and immediate intervention by the Jammu and Kashmir Government.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Grievance Cell called upon the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department and the Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner to ensure that all ongoing works meet prescribed engineering and safety standards.
The organisation pointed out that these colonies accommodate thousands of Kashmiri Hindu families who were forced to leave their ancestral homes in Kashmir. It said that the condition of residential infrastructure, coupled with allegations of poor workmanship, the use of substandard construction materials and inadequate technical supervision, had raised concerns over the quality of execution and the utilisation of public funds.
The Grievance Cell stressed that repair and renovation projects in these colonies were directly linked to the safety, dignity and living conditions of displaced families and therefore required stringent monitoring and transparent implementation.
The organisation expressed particular concern over the reported shortage of engineering and supervisory personnel and the absence of publicly accessible structural safety audit reports before major repair works.
According to the statement, the reported deployment of only one Junior Engineer to supervise works across 176 blocks comprising approximately 4,224 flats at Jagti Township raised questions about the adequacy of on-site monitoring, quality control and compliance with technical standards.
Panun Kashmir sought clarification from the government on whether comprehensive structural safety audits had been conducted before the commencement of major repairs, who was responsible for verifying construction materials and how the quality of work was being monitored amid the reported shortage of technical staff.
It also called for clear mechanisms to identify defective work, enforce contractual obligations and establish responsibility for any negligence or financial irregularities found during an impartial investigation.
The Grievance Cell urged the Lieutenant Governor, the Chief Secretary and other concerned authorities to order an independent technical inquiry into the ongoing projects. It also demanded immediate inspections of affected residential blocks and a comprehensive structural safety audit by a reputed independent technical institution or agency.
The organisation further sought the deployment of adequate engineering personnel, independent testing of construction materials wherever necessary, and mandatory physical verification of completed works before contractors’ bills were cleared and payments released.
It also called for the public disclosure of sanctioned funds, work orders, contractor details, inspection reports and payment records in accordance with applicable rules.
Emphasising the need for accountability in public expenditure, the organisation said that any contractor or official found responsible for substandard work, negligence or violations of prescribed standards should face appropriate action under the law. It added that defective work should be rectified at the responsible party’s expense wherever liability was established.
Panun Kashmir maintained that the rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri Hindu families must extend beyond the execution of infrastructure contracts and include safe housing, adequate supervision, independent verification and transparent governance.
The Grievance Cell appealed to the administration to intervene without delay and ensure that the concerns of residents were addressed through effective monitoring and corrective measures.
The organisation reiterated that the safety and dignity of families living in Jagti Township and other migrant colonies must remain a priority, calling for independent scrutiny, transparent expenditure and accountability at every stage of the development process.