*Within months of inauguration, synthetic court shows damage; MLA flags lapses
Ranjit Thakur
JAMMU, Mar 23: A controversy has surfaced over alleged substandard work carried out by the Rural Development Department at Government Higher Secondary School, Dhar Dugnoo, in Block Baggan of Billawar, Kathua district. A newly constructed synthetic volleyball court was damaged after light rainfall—barely two months after its inauguration—raising serious concerns about construction quality. The school is located around 15 km from Billawar town.
The court, inaugurated on December 11, 2025, by Billawar MLA Satish Sharma, was built at an estimated cost of Rs 14.70 lakh. Its rapid deterioration has triggered resentment among local residents, who allege the use of inferior materials and have demanded immediate repairs along with strict action against those responsible.
The issue first came to light through local residents and media reports, prompting MLA Satish Sharma to take strong exception to the apparent negligence. He questioned the Executive Engineer of the Rural Development Department in the concerned sub-division and directed a thorough probe into the quality of work. Sharma noted that such lapses not only result in wastage of public funds but also undermine the credibility of public representatives.
Taking a serious view, the MLA reprimanded the Executive Engineer and warned that he would raise the matter in the upcoming Assembly session. In a video circulating on social media, he is heard stating that he may refrain from inaugurating similar development projects in the future if quality standards are not maintained.
Speaking to EXCELSIOR, Billawar MLA Satish Sharma said, “Following my intervention, the department has begun repair work on the damaged synthetic volleyball and basketball courts. It is unfortunate that within two months of inauguration, the volleyball court has deteriorated and its surface has started sinking. The key question is—who is accountable for such lapses? Those responsible must be held to account. The Government should also review how certain officials continue to hold positions in the same sub-division for years, often while handling additional charges elsewhere.”
He emphasized that ensuring transparency, accountability, and proper utilization of public funds must remain the top priority in all development works.
Executive Engineer of the Billawar Sub-Division, Sandeep Singh, confirmed that the issue has been taken into cognizance and that restoration work on the volleyball and badminton courts is underway.
The incident has once again highlighted persistent concerns over the execution and monitoring of public works in rural areas, with locals expecting stricter quality control and greater accountability in future projects.
The post Rain exposes poor-quality work at Dhar Dugnoo Volleyball Court appeared first on Daily Excelsior.