765 School Buildings, 11 Bridges Declared Unsafe in J&K: Deputy CM Assures Safety Measures

Jammu & Kashmir’s infrastructure safety has come under scrutiny as 765 school buildings and 11 bridges have been officially declared unsafe, while an additional 371 bridges require significant repairs, according to Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary.

Addressing the issue in the Assembly, Choudhary, who also oversees the Public Works (Roads & Buildings) Department, provided a detailed response to an unstarred question raised by National Conference legislator Shamim Firdous.

Bridges Undergoing Structural Audits and Repairs

Choudhary revealed that the safety audit of 382 bridges, constructed over two decades ago, has already been completed. The findings indicate:

• 11 bridges were deemed unsafe and have been closed for public use, with reconstruction efforts currently underway.
• 250 bridges require major repairs.
• 121 bridges need minor refurbishments.

Furthermore, a new safety audit is in progress for bridges constructed between 10 to 20 years ago, to assess their current structural integrity.

Unsafe School Buildings Identified and Action Taken

The School Education Department, under the National School Safety Programme, conducts annual safety audits to ensure the security of educational institutions. As per the latest findings:

• 765 school buildings have been classified as unsafe and are no longer in use for teaching purposes.
• Many of these unsafe structures are being dismantled following standard safety protocols.
• Heads of institutions have been strictly advised not to use these buildings to safeguard students and staff.

Additionally, the Public Works (R&B) Department is evaluating damaged school structures on a case-by-case basis to determine their safety. Buildings found unsafe are immediately marked for non-usage.

Hospital Infrastructure and Safety Assessments

The Health Department is also conducting safety audits of hospital buildings, assessing repairs, renovations, and expansions based on technical feasibility and structural safety parameters.

• Notably, the Block A of the District Hospital in Anantnag was restricted to a G+2 structure instead of G+4, following expert recommendations.
• The Rehmat-e-Alam Hospital in Sarnal, Anantnag, was declared unsafe for hospital operations by IIT Jammu after a rigorous safety audit.

Mandatory Safety Compliance for Private Schools

Private institutions are required to submit a building safety certificate to the Department of School Education as part of their recognition process, ensuring student safety across both government and private educational facilities.

Government’s Commitment to Public Safety

Deputy CM Choudhary reassured that immediate corrective measures are being taken to address infrastructure vulnerabilities. He emphasized that public safety remains the government’s top priority, with ongoing audits and repairs being conducted to mitigate risks.

As Jammu & Kashmir moves towards improving its public infrastructure, stringent safety protocols and proactive maintenance will be crucial in ensuring the well-being of students, commuters, and patients alike.