Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 1: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today inaugurated the recommencement of balance Work of Tawi Barrage.
The Lt Governor said that recommencement of Tawi Barrage is a significant occasion for Jammu City. The ambitious project, which was hanging fire more than a decade, will enhance scenic beauty, increase tourism potential of the city of temples and it will also ensure creation of recreational spots for people, he added.
Today’s initiative is a part of the Government’s endeavour to develop urban centers as engines of economic growth and make the cities ecologically and economically sustainable. The new and robust infrastructure will cater to tourists as well the local population, making the citizens partners in the conservation and development of water bodies, the Lt Governor observed.
The project, envisioned as a small tribute to our age-old traditions of maintaining rivers and water bodies will also provide solution to water supply problems by enhancing the water table of the city, the Lt Governor further added.
Noting that the legacy of project delays in J&K has hampered the economy of the region and kept people away from the basic facilities, the Lt Governor asserted that Project delays which were earlier considered a norm is now a thing of the past. The UT has achieved new strides in project implementation, while only 9229 projects were completed in 2018-19, more than 50000 projects have been completed in 2021-22, registering a substantial five-fold increase, the Lt Governor observed.
After August 2019, under the guidance of the Prime Minister, development of Jammu and Kashmir has become top priority of the Government. Our major concern at the same time has also been to ensure that the aesthetic and cultural heritage of the UT is preserved and protected, the Lt Governor said.
It was informed that after studying the partially constructed part and examining the flood level of 2014, the team of IIT Roorkee had given its recommendations regarding the technical aspects of the project. Subsequently, various experts and stakeholders were roped in and a comprehensive roadmap was prepared to develop the Tawi Barrage into a major tourist attraction.
Pertinently, the proposed Tawi Barrage will create a pondage of 1.41 million cubic meters. It will be an auto mechanical and manual operated gated barrage controlled through SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system and the project is scheduled to be commissioned by mid July 2023.
The Lt Governor lauded the efforts of public representatives, civil society groups, district administration and various stakeholders for their efforts in rejuvenating the water sources and ponds in the UT.
“Mission Amrit Sarovar is witnessing participation from all sections of society. It is our collective responsibility to preserve and protect our water sources”, he added.
The Lt Governor also called on the stakeholders to tap the potential of water sports in the Tawi which will generate opportunities for commercial activities and create employment avenues for the local population.
The Lt Governor also expressed his satisfaction about the 3506 number of development projects completed in Jammu district in the last financial year, which were highest across all the districts.
In this financial year, the capex budget for the development of Jammu district is about Rs 1443 crore and we have set a target to complete 4115 development projects, he added.
Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary speaking on the occasion highlighted the tourism projects going on in Jammu and the expected tourist arrival after the completion of Tawi Barrage, which is going to be a major attraction in Jammu city. He further said the pace of project execution in J&K has increased manifold since the last couple of years.
Shaleen Kabra, Principal Secretary, Jal Shakti Department delivered the welcome address. Hamesh Manchanda Chief Engg I&FC presented the vote of thanks.
Jugal Kishore, Member Parliament; Surjeet Singh Slathia former minister; Ravinder Raina, President BJP J&K attended the occasion.
Chander Mohan Gupta, Mayor, JMC; Bharat Bhushan, Chairman DDC Jammu; Ashok Kumar Parmar, Principal Secretary, ARI and Trainings Department; Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department; Avny Lavasa, Deputy Commissioner Jammu; Syed Aabid Rashid, Mission Director, JJM; Rahul Yadav, Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation besides other senior officers and citizens were present on the occasion.
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