*J&K submits hydraulic, other necessary data
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Nov 23: A process for beautification of River Tawi and its banks on the pattern of Sabarmati river in Gujarat has been initiated with experts from Ahmedabad conducting the field survey of river Tawi from Sidhra to 4th Bridge near Ware House and taking all necessary data from the concerned authorities of Jammu and Kashmir.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that following decision about beautification of River Tawi and its bank on the pattern of Sabarmati river in Gujarat taken in the review meeting of the Jammu District Development Board chaired by Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh on September 30 this year, the State Government formally approached Ahmed-abad Municipal Corporation with the request to depute team to Jammu.
Promptly considering the J&K’s request, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation deputed its team headed by two experts in the river beautification field and they conducted field survey right from Sidhra Golf Course to 4th Bridge on River Tawi near Ware House few days back, sources said. Besides conducting detailed field survey, the team also requisitioned necessary data from the concerned authorities of the State.
Disclosing that hydraulic data, information about strata of soil on both banks of river Tawi and vital information with regard to flooding pattern has been submitted to the team of Ahmedabad Munic-ipal Corporation, sources said, “the team has conveyed to the J&K that they would give their opinion about the methodology required to be adopted for development of River Tawi and its banks on the pattern of Sabarmati river shortly”, adding “the team will suggest as to what pattern is best suited for beautification of River Tawi and which are the agencies having expertise in this field”.
It is pertinent to mention here that Sabarmati beautification project has been executed by the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Limited, which is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corpor-ation.
In response to a question, sources said, “on the receipt of detailed report from the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation team, the J&K State would take decision about engagement of agency for preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) and select the agency for execution of this ambitious project”, adding “as per the preliminary estimates amount ranging between Rs 1100 crore to Rs 1200 crore would be required for beautification of nine kilometer long banks of River Tawi. Even the Sabarmati Riverfront Devel-opment Corporation Limited has carried out work within Rs 1100 crore funding”.
“Since the Union Gover-nment has adopted liberal approach towards Jammu and Kashmir and Prime Minister had dropped enough hints about more funding while announcing huge economic package for the State recently, the Housing and Urban Development Department has decided to formally approach the Union Government for beautification of river Tawi and its banks following preparation of Detailed Project Report”, sources said in response to another question.
Though the process for beautification of River Tawi has been set into motion, the concerned authorities of the Housing and Urban Development Department are unlikely to meet the deadline for preparation of Detailed Project Report fixed by the Deputy Chief Minister during the review meeting of Jammu District Development Board, sources said.
The Deputy Chief Minister had fixed deadline of November 30 for completion of this exercise. A committee under the chairmanship of Vice-Chairman, Jammu Development Authority has already been constituted to closely monitor developments in this regard.
It is pertinent to mention here that a study for the project has already been undertaken by the Housing and Urban Development Department of the State Government whose officials visited Sabarmati under the chairmanship of Commissioner/ Secretary to the Department and comprising the officers of Jammu Development Authority, Tourism Development Department, Jammu Municipal Corporation etc.
The beautification plan included cleanliness of river Tawi and development of its banks by setting up Conferences, Recreation Halls and Amusement Parks etc by making it a complete independent tourist destination.
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