Pulwama, July 30: The Contractors Association Pulwama has appealed to the authorities for a consistent supply of materials essential for executing various government projects in the district.
The contractors said there has been a severe shortage of raw materials for the past seven months, which hampers their ability to initiate and complete developmental projects.
General Secretary of the Contractors Association Pulwama told Rising Kashmir that the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department has issued tenders, but due to the unavailability of materials like GSB (Granular Sub Base), WBM (Wuyan Based Materials), Nallah Mukh, dust and sand, they are unable to participate.
“Despite being assured of uninterrupted supply through allotment documents, the actual supply of sand, gravel, and crushed stone from Wuyan is not being provided,” he said.
Ayaz Ahmad Dar, a contractor from Pulwama, said the shortage of raw materials is their biggest challenge, which has led to a standstill in developmental projects in the district.
“Sources of raw materials in Pulwama have been sealed, unlike neighbouring districts such as Shopian and Kulgam, where contractors receive a consistent supply,” he said.
Another contractor, Mohammad Ashraf Malik, said that acquiring materials from other sources comes with disadvantages, including higher costs and lower quality.
The contractors have urged the authorities to address this issue to ensure seamless progress in the district.
Executive Engineer R&B Pulwama, Javid Ahmad Dar, acknowledged the contractors’ concerns and said he has reported the issue to higher authorities.
Dar said that Wuyan-based materials have been approved for construction due to their compliance with the required specifications. “While some local quarries have been identified, the materials from these sources may not meet the necessary standards and are more costly due to their distant locations,” the Executive Engineer said.
District Mineral Officer Pulwama, Er Mohammad Manzoor, said that raw materials like sand, gravel and Nallah Mukh are readily available for developmental projects.
However, Wuyan-based stone falls under the category of major minerals, subject to different rules.
Er Manzoor said the issue is under government consideration and the proposals have been sent for amendments.
