In a brazen attempt to mislead the Raj Bhawan after a complaint lodged by affected residents, the PW(R&B) Department in Nowshera Division has invited tenders for the restoration of a road damaged due to cable laying operations back in December 2022.
This deceptive move has kept the necessary work hidden for nearly one and a half years. The incompetency of authorities was exposed following the reorganization of the Public Works Department in January 2024, which transferred the affected area to Kalakote Division. The controversy deepened as the division head failed to transfer the required funds to execute the long-overdue repairs.
In this exclusive report The Hidden News unveils a web of interdepartmental confusion, questionable tendering practices, and apparent attempts to mislead higher authorities.
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The controversy centers around the Thandapani-Saleri Sarooti Teryath Road in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, where a two-kilometer stretch has deteriorated to the point that two vehicles cannot pass each other safely. The road damage, reportedly caused by optical fiber cable (OFC) laying operations in December 2022, has remained unaddressed for over 18 months, sparking public outrage.
Our investigation reveals a series of missteps and potential cover-ups:
- Jurisdictional Confusion: In March 2024, the Executive Engineer PW(R&B) Nowshera issued a tender for road restoration in an area that had been transferred to the jurisdiction of R&B Division Kalakote in January 2024. This move raises questions about whether it was an attempt to mislead the Raj Bhawan and conceal the division’s inaction.
- Unexecuted Tenders: The March 2024 tender was never opened, ostensibly due to jurisdictional issues. A subsequent tender issued in June 2024 allocates only Rs 4.95 lacs for the repair work, an amount experts deem grossly insufficient given the extent of the damage.
- Fund Transfer Delays: Despite receiving funds from JIO for the road restoration, the Nowshera division has failed to transfer these to the Kalakote division, which requested the funds in April 2024. This delay has further prolonged the road’s state of disrepair.
- Violation of Standard Procedures: Sources indicate that the initial cable laying process in December 2022 involved the use of JCB machines, a practice that violates standard procedures and likely contributed to the extensive road damage. Same practice was adopted on Later-Devak-Hathal Road which was in violation of rules. Thereafter no steps were taken to restore the damages caused due to laying of OFC.
- Lack of Transparency: Questions remain about the total amount received from JIO and its allocation, with no clear accounting provided to the public.
- Diminished Riding Surface: The riding surface is severely damaged, making it impossible for two four-wheelers to pass each other simultaneously over the two-kilometer stretch of the road
The situation came to light after Ex-Sarpanch Bhushan Uppal filed a complaint with the JK Grievance cell in February 2024, following numerous failed attempts to engage local officials. The complaint’s impact appears limited, as the road remains unrepaired months later. The controversy has had wider repercussions, with development works reportedly stalling across the Nowshera division. Public frustration boiled over on June 19, 2024, when residents of Dabber Panchayat in Nowshera staged a protest against the Executive Engineer over the lack of road infrastructure. This case highlights a critical need for improved interdepartmental coordination, transparent project management, and accountability in public infrastructure projects. As pressure mounts for an official inquiry, questions linger about the competence of local authorities and their commitment to public service.
In a shocking revelation, it has come to light that numerous scams have plagued the erstwhile PW(R&B) Sub Division Sunderbani, which has now been reclassified under the new PWD Division Kalakote as part of Mahogla Sub Division. Despite the rampant corruption, higher authorities have inexplicably chosen to remain silent. In a glaring example of misconduct, restoration work post cable laying was conducted far from the affected site. Initial reports indicate that the maintenance works were intended for the 1st to 17th-kilometer stretch of the Later Devak Hathal road. However, it is alleged that the contractor, purportedly enjoying the favor of department officials, carried out the works on the 22nd to 23rd-kilometer stretch, utilizing Rs 40 lakhs from the allocated funds.
Residents, frustrated by the blatant misuse of power, lodged a complaint with the Deputy Commissioner of Rajouri. However, the Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) of Sunderbani, leveraging his connections, managed to secure payment for the contractor, blatantly disregarding district authorities. The AEE’s involvement in these dubious activities raises serious concerns, necessitating a thorough probe by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
The Executive Engineer PW(R&B) Nowshera, B K Raina, was unavailable for comment at the time of publication. If we receive any response from the authorities, it will be updated accordingly. We will continue to follow the story as it develops.
