IRS to augment disaster response
*New block of LD Hospital to be ready by Aug 2026
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 2: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a high level review meeting where CEO of the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA), Aijaz Asad, presented a comprehensive update on the Jhelum & Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP).
This update comes after the World Bank granted an extension to complete the remaining works.
Present in the meeting were Secretary, PWD; Commissioner, SMC; Chief Engineer R&B Central Kashmir besides other concerned officers.
The Chief Secretary impressed upon the ERA to ensure regular monitoring of progress on the ongoing works. He asked them to make sure the works are completed in time with no laxity at any level.
Regarding maintenance of quality and adherence to specific timelines, the Chief Secretary asked the R&B Department to take penal action against the defaulting contractors as per law or blacklist them for taking up any future contracts.
He asked for ensuring completion of 130-bedded additional block at the Government LD Hospital within the extended timeline.
The CEO informed that this additional block aims to significantly enhance the healthcare infrastructure and patient capacity at this crucial healthcare facility. He further apprised that the authorities are closely monitoring the progress to ensure timely completion of this vital project within the extended project timeframe.
Regarding the remaining work of 5 bridges in North Kashmir, Secretary PWD, Bhupinder Kumar, informed the meeting that the LoA stands issued for each of the bridge to be constructed at Wahidina, Waza Mohalla, Shrakwara and Wagoora. These works are expected to be completed by December 2025.
Regarding completion of the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) at Humhuma, it was divulged that the dormitory building, service block and warehouse have been completed. It was added that the delay in procurement of electromechanical components by the contractor lead to termination of the contract with the remaining works to be re-tendered and expected to be completed in seven months at a cost of Rs 40.16 crore.
About the 160-bedded new block of Bone & Joint Hospital, the meeting was apprised that the construction has been fully completed. It was given out that the procurement of additional equipments are in progress and scheduled to be completed by the end of this month.
Regarding upgradation of 49 Dewatering Stations, Commissioner SMC, Owais Ahmad, informed the meeting that 45 stations are fully functional with 2 stations at Khan Colony and Surnai Mohalla dropped while 2 at Zero Bridge and Peerbagh foreclosed.
It is worth mentioning here that the total expenditure incurred on JTFRP till date stands at Rs 1,547.5 crore, with the World Bank reimbursing an amount of Rs 1,465.86 crore. The project has been extended till August 31, 2026, allowing completion of the remaining works that were not completed till December, 2024 for different reasons.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretay chaired a meeting of the concerned officers to take their inputs for implementation of the Incident Response System (IRS) for efficient disaster response in the UT.
Besides Principal Secretary, DMRR&R, the meeting was attended by Financial Commissioner (Revenue); Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir and Jammu besides other concerned officers.
The Chief Secretary enquired from each of the participants about the effective method of its implementation. He asked about the roles and responsibilities of different government departments and law enforcement agencies as well.
Dulloo observed that this system has an added significance for our part of the globe is prone to certain disasters. He further noted that since the UT has diverse topography and climatic conditions across its divisions it is imperative to strategize and plan keeping these challenges in mind.
He called upon all to give it a considerate thought so that a best possible response mechanism is put in place with a right mix of professionals to deal with the circumstances. He stressed on adoption of ‘whole of the government approach’ in creating such plans as most of the disasters are incidental in nature.
Financial Commissioner (Revenue), Shaleen Kabra, while giving his insights about the adoption of IRS in the UT, remarked that there should be a disaster and location specific plans for smoothly steering the response mechanisms at the times of eventualities.
He made out that different States/UTs shall be having their own response systems based upon their susceptibility to disasters. He also suggested certain roles and responsibilities for different government officers based upon the nature and location of the disasters.
Principal Secretary, DMRR&R, Chandraker Bharti, while giving introduction of Incident Response System (IRS), said that it is a structured approach designed to streamline disaster response by integrating facilities, equipment, personnel and communication systems under a unified command.
He further elaborated that development of this system aims at ensuring swift, coordinated and effective disaster management by pre-designating the officials and training them for their roles in handling emergency situations.
The meeting besides deliberating on the need for IRS also stressed on identification of critical gaps in disaster management, including lack of coordination, communication failures and unclear role definitions among agencies.
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