Stuck in the System: Delays in Development Funds Stall Crucial Projects, Trigger Public Outrage
||Black and White Digital News ||
||Parvinder Singh May 14,2025||
Jammu :A mounting deadlock over the release of development funds has paralyzed key infrastructure projects across several constituencies in Jammu, exposing cracks in governance and drawing sharp criticism from both elected representatives and the public. Most affected are projects involving the repair and reconstruction of nallahs—critical drainage systems that serve as lifelines in low-lying and flood-prone areas.
Despite the submission of detailed project reports (DPRs) by MLAs more than six months ago, the proposals remain buried in bureaucratic layers, reportedly stalled at the Deputy Commissioner’s office due to lack of administrative action and financial sanction. With the monsoon season just weeks away, frustration is boiling over in both political corridors and residential neighborhoods.
Background: Promises Made, Projects Stalled
Following the start of the financial year, multiple MLAs submitted DPRs targeting longstanding infrastructural gaps, with a particular focus on upgrading or constructing nallahs to manage water flow during heavy rains. These drainage systems are vital for preventing urban flooding, especially in densely populated, low-lying zones that face routine waterlogging during monsoons.
Many of these proposals were announced during election campaigns and public outreach initiatives, generating high expectations among voters. However, the lack of tangible progress has transformed hope into resentment.
Political Representatives in Limbo:
According to reliable sources within the administration, none of the submitted DPRs have moved past the DC office. The reasons range from procedural bottlenecks and unclear sanctioning authority to a general lack of coordination between the district administration and concerned state-level departments.
“We are constantly pursuing the matter but hitting a wall every time,” said one MLA, speaking on condition of anonymity. “The files are just gathering dust. The public thinks we’ve abandoned the projects, but in reality, the system is unresponsive and opaque.”
The impasse has left MLAs vulnerable to public anger as residents begin to question their effectiveness and commitment. Some legislators are reportedly considering raising the issue in the Assembly if no movement occurs soon.
Ground Reality: Residents Left in the Lurch
In neighborhoods historically plagued by waterlogging and flooding, anxiety is palpable. With no visible action on the ground and repeated deadlines missed, residents fear a repeat of previous years’ flooding disasters.
“Every monsoon, we’re the first to suffer. The roads get flooded, water enters homes, and life comes to a halt,” said Sandeep Kumar, a resident of a flood-prone colony. “They promised new drains this year, but nothing has happened. Now they say the files are still pending. Who is accountable?”
Civil society groups, local activists, and resident welfare associations have begun to step up pressure, organizing petitions and raising the issue in public forums.
Systemic Failures and Need for Reform:
The ongoing stalemate has reignited debates over governance efficiency, transparency, and the effectiveness of decentralized planning. Policy experts argue that the core issue lies in the absence of a time-bound approval mechanism for urgent development projects.
“When disaster preparedness is involved—especially in a region with known vulnerabilities—delays are not just inconvenient; they are dangerous,” said a local policy analyst. “We need administrative reforms that prioritize disaster mitigation and infrastructure resilience over bureaucratic formalities.”
Questions are also being raised about the accountability of district officials and the roles played by various state departments. Why have project files remained untouched for over half a year? Who is responsible for the impasse? And most importantly, what is being done to break it?
The Way Forward: Time for Urgent Action
With the monsoon season imminent, pressure is mounting for a swift resolution. MLAs are expected to escalate the issue within the government hierarchy. Some are even preparing formal complaints or seeking intervention from the Chief Secretary or the Lieutenant Governor’s office.
If the logjam continues, the consequences could be severe—not only for the physical infrastructure but also for public faith in democratic institutions and governance mechanisms.
For now, both the public and their elected representatives wait—trapped in a system that promised change but is yet to deliver.
