Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, NOV 03:
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today inspected the ongoing construction of the New Legislative Assembly Complex in Jammu and reviewed the progress of the prestigious project, stressing the need for its timely completion while ensuring the highest standards of quality.
During the inspection, the Chief Minister was briefed by the concerned officers on the status of construction and the measures being undertaken to accelerate the pace of work.
The Chief Minister emphasised the need for effective coordination among the concerned departments and executing agency, systematic execution of works and strict adherence to prescribed specifications. He underscored the importance of completing the project within the stipulated timeline, given its significance as a key institutional infrastructure for Jammu and Kashmir.
The New Legislative Assembly Complex, being constructed at a revised estimated cost of ?208.53 crore, has a total built-up area of 22,165 square metres. The project was initially taken up in 2012, but construction remained stalled since 2018.
The long-pending project was revived following the grant of revised administrative approval by the present Government in 2025, paving the way for the resumption of construction. Under the Omar Abdullah-led Government,
CM Omar inspects
work on the project resumed on February 15, 2026, with October 31, 2027, fixed as the scheduled date of completion. An expenditure of ?5.97 crore had been incurred on the project up to October 31, 2026.
The six-level complex will house a modern Assembly Hall, Central Hall, visitor and press galleries, committee rooms and advanced building management systems.
The Chief Minister directed the concerned departments and executing agency to maintain close coordination and ensure expeditious execution of the project without compromising on quality or the stipulated completion timeline.
He reiterated the Government’s commitment to strengthening institutional infrastructure and ensuring the timely completion of projects of public importance.
Speaker, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather; Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary; Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta; Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works Department, Anil Kumar Singh; Commissioner Secretary, General Administration Department, M. Raju; Secretary, Law Department, Achal Sethi; and other senior officers accompanied the Chief Minister during the inspection.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today distributed appointment letters to 17 candidates appointed in the Public Works (Roads and Buildings) Department here at the Civil Secretariat.
The appointment letters were distributed in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works (R&B), Anil Kumar Singh, Director Finance, R&B, and other concerned officers.
The Chief Minister congratulated the newly appointed candidates and extended his best wishes for their future endeavours. He expressed hope that they would discharge their duties with dedication, sincerity and a strong sense of responsibility, contributing meaningfully to the functioning of the department and the development of Jammu and Kashmir.
The appointees include eight Supervisors and eight Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) appointed under the RAS, while one candidate has been appointed under SRO-43.
