Aqzar Raheel

Srinagar, May 19:Contractors associated with the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) have intensified their ongoing protest in Srinagar over alleged pending payments exceeding ₹1,500 crore. The agitation, now in its ninth consecutive day, is being held at the Chief Engineering Complex in Rajbagh under the banner of the Contractors Coordination Committee.

The protesting contractors claim that payments for works executed under the Jal Jeevan Mission since September 2024 have not been released, causing severe financial stress across the contracting community involved in rural water supply projects in Jammu and Kashmir.

Representing the committee, Nazir Ahmad said contractors have already completed extensive infrastructure work aimed at expanding household tap water coverage under the mission. He alleged that despite completion of projects, bills remain unpaid, affecting not only contractors but also labourers, suppliers, and other dependent workers.

He further stated that many contractors financed these projects through bank loans or by mortgaging personal assets to meet contractual obligations on time.

According to him, delays in payment have now created a serious debt crisis, leaving many families under financial pressure.

The contractors have warned that if dues are not cleared before Eid-ul-Adha, they will suspend all ongoing Jal Jeevan Mission works in the Valley.

They also cautioned that continued inaction could lead to a complete halt of work under both the Jal Jeevan Mission and the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department across the region.

The protesters have urged the administration to release pending payments without further delay, stating that prolonged delays are worsening the economic hardship of thousands of families linked to the sector.