Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Dec 22: In a major step forward in the river Devika rejuvenation / cleaning project of Udhampur, the DPR (Detailed Project Report) has been submitted to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), Government of India.
Disclosing this here today, Union Minister and Member of Parliament from Udhampur-Kathua-Doda Lok Sabha Constituency, Dr Jitendra Singh, who had personally intervened two weeks ago to get the process expedited, said that the DPR for rejuvenation of Holy River Devika has been submitted to “National River Conservation Directorate” in the Union Ministry of Environment.
Dr Jitendra Singh also informed that he had personally met the Union Minister for Environment, Dr Harsh Vardhan and sought his kind indulgence to push forward the project which had been approved after a lot of consistent and hard effort.
Pertinent to mention that, as a result of consistent follow-up by Dr Jitendra Singh, the Government of India sanctioned Rs. 172.5 crore for Devika cleaning in February this year and included it in the “National River Conservation Project”. However, due to procedural delays, the preparation of DPR took unduly long time and finally, soon after his return from the Gujarat election, Dr Jitendra Singh personally intervened to get the DPR through.
The DPR submitted before the Union Environment Ministry proposes creation of sewerage network of 128.41 kms along with 3 STPs (Sewerage Treatment Plants) so as to prevent pollution of river Devika and at the same time ensure that no untreated sewerage reaches the Holy River. In addition, the DPR also proposes protective fencing on both the sides of river Devika, screens at different Nallahs, de-silting of river Devika, construction of bathing Ghat, renovation of existing Ghat, construction of cremation Ghat, parking in front of cremation Ghat, landscape and other civil work, etc.
According to Dr Jitendra Singh, the DPR will now have to go through a technical approval which might take some more time to pass through the established formalities. It is only after that, the actual work will be possible to start, he said. Every effort will be made at all levels to follow up the project at a fast pace, he said.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, Holy River Devika is also a matter of faith and expressed satisfaction that the two big projects, namely Devika River cleaning and Radio Station, will be landmark achievements for which Udhampur had waited for several decades.
Meanwhile, veteran Member of Parliament, Amar Singh today called on Dr Jitendra Singh and discussed a number of issues and projects related to Jammu & Kashmir as well as Northeast.
Amar Singh, particularly, showed keen interest in power projects in the region and also handed over to the Minister, a written appraisal of some of the important inputs to facilitate setting up of Power Plants and enhance Power generation in the North-Eastern region of India.
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