J&K Government Launches PMGSY Road Inquiry in Poonch Amid Alleged Corruption

In a major development, the Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered a formal PMGSY road inquiry after a departmental complaint flagged alleged non-compliance with DPRs (Detailed Project Reports) and PMGSY guidelines in four rural road projects in Poonch district. A Government Order (No.189-PW(R&B)/2025) dated June 17, 2025 explicitly cites “non-compliance of DPR and PMGSY guidelines” on the works.

The order identifies the projects under scrutiny, Bonikhet‑to‑Chanasar, Chandimarh‑to‑Dogrian, Sailan‑to‑Mahara, and the 7th km stretch of TOI to Behramgalla, as having deviations from approved plans

These Poonch road project violations have sparked a high-level probe, underscoring the government’s push to crack down on road corruption and accountability lapses in rural infrastructure.
The official order lists four PMGSY road works in Poonch as being examined for guideline breaches
These are:

1. Bonikhet–Chanasar (PMGSY Package JK11-69)
2. Chandimarh–Dogrian (Package JK11-44)
3. Sailan–Mahara (Package JK-138)
4. 7th km of TOI to Behramgalla (Package JK-161)

Each package corresponds to a rural connectivity project under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. According to the order, an internal audit found that the work on these stretches was “executed in deviation from approved specifications”.

This suggests the contractors or officials may have flouted DPR standards and PMGSY rules in construction , charges that the inquiry aims to verify.

The Government Order names eight government engineers as subjects of the inquiry
They include a mix of former and current PWD (R&B) officers:

1. Er. Satish Kumar Bhagat
2. Er. Mohd Parvais
3. Er. Manzoor Hussain
4. Er. Bikram Singh
5. Er. Shokit Ali
6. Er. Ashfaq Ahmad Mughal
7. Er. Anshul Bhagat
8. Er. Madhu Sudan

These individuals were served memoranda detailing the “Article of Charges and Statement of Imputations” against them. The charges broadly allege violations of DPR provisions and PMGSY guidelines during the road works. The engineers were asked to explain their actions, but their replies were found “not satisfactory” by the department. This led authorities to formally initiate the disciplinary inquiry under civil service rules.
In line with the Jammu & Kashmir Civil Service (Classification, Control & Appeal) Rules, 1956, the government has appointed Er. Kewal Kumar Atri (In-charge Superintending Engineer, R&B Circle Poonch) as the Inquiry Officer and Er. Shakeel Ahmed (In-charge Executive Engineer, PMGSY Division Poonch) as the Presenting Officer. The order directs that the inquiry be conducted with full procedural fairness: all accused engineers must be given a hearing, and even stakeholders’ statements can be recorded if necessary. The Inquiry Officer is required to submit a detailed report within 30 days of the order’s issuance. This tight timeline underscores the urgency the administration is placing on resolving the matter and taking corrective action if needed.

Officials say the probe is part of a broader campaign to ensure transparency in PMGSY and other public works. The government order itself emphasizes strict adherence to approved DPRs and guidelines as non-negotiable. As The Kashmir Monitor notes, the move “reflects a broader push for transparency and accountability in infrastructure development” in the region. In practical terms, the inquiry sends a message that J&K road projects violations will be dealt with firmly. The outcome will be closely watched: a finding of wrongdoing could lead to disciplinary action against the engineers and also reform processes for future PMGSY projects. In summary, the June 17, 2025 Government Order has officially launched a PMGSY road project inquiry in Poonch, naming the specific road packages, the engineers involved, and the charges of DPR/non-compliance violations. The investigation’s scope covers all aspects of the alleged irregularities, with a 30-day deadline and mandated procedural fairness. This high-profile action highlights Jammu and Kashmir’s emphasis on curbing any road construction corruption and ensuring rural roads meet required standards.