Vacant posts in PWD hit key infrastructure, healthcare projects

Srinagar, Jun 26: As the peak working season for civil and mechanical projects continues across Jammu and Kashmir, a severe manpower shortage in the Public Works Department (PWD) is stalling key infrastructure and healthcare projects ó including the long-awaited dialysis center at the Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Bhaderwah.Data accessed by Greater Kashmir shows that three chief engineer posts are currently vacant in the Roads and Buildings (R&B) wing of the PWD. In addition, 11 superintending engineer, 32 executive engineer and 12 assistant executive engineer positions remain unfilled.The shortage has delayed technical approvals, stalling macadamization work and several ongoing civil projects across the region.On the mechanical side, the situation is even more dire.The Mechanical Engineering Department (M&HED) ó which services hospitals, the Jal Shakti Department, the Housing and Urban Development Board, and the Irrigation and Flood Control Department ó is operating without 20 executive engineers, 55 assistant executive engineers, 50 assistant engineers and 250 junior engineers.These vacancies are directly impacting project completion timelines,î a senior official told Greater Kashmir. ìOverburdened officers holding additional charges are unable to manage the workload efficiently, resulting in delays and stress.îHealthcare infrastructure has been especially affected. Several critical hospital projects, including those in Handwara and other districts, remain incomplete due to the absence of executive engineers in the Mechanical and Hospital Engineering Division.Bhaderwah BJP MLA Daleep Singh Parihar said he had raised the issue of the vacant executive engineer post at the Mechanical Division Khellani with Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary.ìThis vacancy is causing a significant delay in the opening of the dialysis center at SDH Bhaderwah,î Parihar said. ìThe minister has issued immediate instructions to address the issue.îParihar said he also requested that two vacant assistant executive engineer posts at the PWD Division Gandoh be filled.Officials said the upcoming retirement of Engineer-in-Chief Tanveera Mir ó who currently holds additional charge as chief engineer of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) for both Kashmir and Jammu ó could deepen the crisis further.ìShe is set to retire soon, which will leave two more critical posts vacant,î an official said.Many projects requiring technical sanctions are on hold due to a lack of qualified engineers to approve and supervise the work.An official said several pending litigations are also delaying promotions based on seniority.ìThe file has been moved to the Law Department for further process,î the official said.The staffing crisis is not limited to the PWD.Greater Kashmir previously reported similar vacancies in the Jal Shakti Department (Hydraulics), including its Irrigation, Flood Control and Public Health Engineering (PHE) wings. The shortfall has exacerbated the regionís irrigation crisis amid a prolonged heat wave and dry spell.A chief engineer post in the Urban Environmental Engineering Department (UEED) has also remained vacant for more than six months following the retirement of Naseer Ahmad Kakroo. The vacancy is affecting implementation of several sanitation, sewerage, seepage, drainage and water management schemes in urban areas.ìThe PWDís R&B wing is also the parent department for mechanical placements,î another official said. ìSo the shortage is not only hampering civil works but also affecting critical services under the Jal Shakti and Housing departments.îDeputy Chief Minister and Public Works Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary said the issue was being addressed.ìThe agenda was tabled in the cabinet and discussed. There were some technical issues involved,î Choudhary said, adding that the matter would be taken up again in the next cabinet meeting.ìWe will go for a via media option and expect a positive outcome,î he said.