Modern court infrastructure essential for efficient justice delivery: CM Omar Abdullah

Jammu, Apr 7: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the progress on the construction of the new High Court complexes for the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court at Srinagar and Jammu wings, underscoring the need for expeditious execution of the prestigious judicial infrastructure projects.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister, as per an official statement, emphasised time-bound completion and inter-departmental coordination, directing all concerned departments and executing agencies to fast-track the projects..

He also called for early grant of administrative approval for the Jammu wing at Raika, which is envisioned as a modern, integrated judicial complex.

The project, being executed by National Buildings Construction Corporation Ltd, (NBCC), involves the relocation of the existing High Court from Janipur to a purpose-built campus at Raika, designed to accommodate the growing requirements of the judiciary. The new complex is planned with state-of-the-art courtrooms, judges’ chambers, administrative blocks, litigant facilities, parking infrastructure, and digital-enabled court systems, aligning with contemporary standards of judicial functioning.

The meeting was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary PWD, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, Commissioner Secretary Law Achal Sethi, Director General Codes Mahesh Das, Director General Budget, senior officers, and representatives of NBCC.

NBCC officials informed the meeting that the project is being executed in multiple phases (Phase-I, II and III) to ensure structured development and optimal resource utilization. A detailed presentation highlighted the site layout, area distribution (area matrix), zoning plan, and phased construction strategy, along with timelines and execution challenges.

The Chief Minister also reviewed proposals for the redevelopment of the Lower Court Complex in Srinagar which aims to modernize existing judicial infrastructure in Kashmir. These projects are expected to improve accessibility, case handling efficiency, and overall litigant experience.

Stressing the importance of robust judicial infrastructure, the Chief Minister directed officials to ensure strict adherence to timelines, quality benchmarks, and transparency in execution.

He called for regular monitoring and resolution of bottlenecks, particularly in approvals, fund flow, and on-ground coordination.

The Chief Minister observed that modern court infrastructure is essential for efficient justice delivery and public trust in the legal system, and reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening institutional capacity across both Jammu and Kashmir divisions.