Srinagar, Mar 08: The Jammu and Kashmir government has declared 765 school buildings and 11 bridges unsafe following a safety audit conducted by various departments. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, who also holds the Public Works (Roads and Buildings) portfolio, shared the details in a written reply to an unstarred question by National Conference legislator Shamim Firdous in the Assembly.
He said that the Public Works (R&B) Department completed a safety audit of 382 bridges constructed over 20 years ago. The findings revealed that 11 bridges were unsafe, leading to their closure and ongoing reconstruction. Additionally, 250 bridges require major repairs, while 121 need minor repairs. The department has also started a safety audit of bridges built between 10 and 20 years ago, which is currently in progress.
Similarly in the education sector, the School Education Department has identified 765 school buildings as unsafe under the National School Safety Program. These structures are not being used for teaching purposes, and many are being dismantled following codal formalities. Private schools are required to submit building safety certificates for recognition, and institution heads have been directed not to use unsafe structures to ensure the safety of students, staff, and the general public, it said.
The Health Department conducts safety audits on a case-to-case basis and undertakes repairs, renovations, and extensions of hospital buildings based on technical feasibility and safety standards. Notably, Block A of District Hospital Anantnag was restricted to G+2 instead of G+4, and the Rehmat-e-Alam Hospital in Sarnal Anantnag was declared unsafe by IIT Jammu following a safety audit.
He assured that safety assessments will continue and necessary repairs, reconstructions, and closures will be undertaken to prevent potential hazards.
