The Art of Building the Wrong Things
The Art of Building the Wrong Things “We continue to build what can wait while neglecting what cannot. Somewhere between planning and execution, public priorities lose their way.” Peerzada Mohsin Shafi Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed considerable infrastructure development, with roads, bridges, public buildings and other facilities being constructed across the Union Territory. Such investment is essential in a region where difficult terrain, harsh winters and geographical constraints make connectivity and public services particularly important. Yet the value of development cannot be measured by the number of structures built. It must be judged by whether public investments address genuine needs and improve people's lives. Too often, the urgency of a project appears less important than the ability to execute it. The problem is not infrastructure development itself, but the priorities guiding it. A structure may look impressive upon completion, yet its real worth lies in th...