Major works allotted to non-locals when Kashmir was incommunicado

SRINAGAR — The spread of the novel Coronavirus has in fact started impacting ongoing construction projects in Kashmir Valley, but the basic reason why work on developmental projects has stopped is the non-availability of construction material.

“The construction material including sand, bajri, boulders and stones are not available and besides, a large workforce is staying away from work sites due to fear over Coronavirus infection,” said a group of contractors.

“Building material is presently unavailable in the market due to the curbs put by government on the excavation of the various building materials. Besides, tenders for extracting sand and boulders have been allotted to non-Kashmiris and they are reluctant to come here and start their operation. We are suffering immensely,” they said.

“How can development take place, when there is no building material available in the market”, they said.

The contractors alleged that tenders were allotted to non-Kashmiris in a period when Kashmir was incommunicado after the abrogation of special status in August last year.

“It’s not only because of Coronavirus threat, but because of the attitude of the government as well that we are incurring huge financial losses,” the contractors said.

“Because of the prolonged disruptions and new uncertainty in the form of the COVID-19 now, the work sector that is already under pressure may come to a standstill,” said the contractors.