Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, Mar 15: Minister for Jal Shakti, Javid Ahmad Rana, said that an amount of Rs. 2083 crore has been earmarked for flood management of River Jhelum and its tributaries under PMDP package of 2015 after September 2014 deluge.
The Minister, who was replying to a question raised by Farooq Ahmad Shah, informed that the carrying capacity of river Jhelum has been enhanced from 31800 cusecs to 41000 cusecs in Srinagar Reach.
The Minister said that the DPRs for flood management were subsequently framed for implementation in two phases, Phase I and Phase II for short term and long term flood measures. He further informed that Phase-I was approved for Rs.399.29 crore in 2015-16 by the Ministry for Water Resources (MOWR) and is nearing completion where as Phase II (Part-A only) was approved by MOWR in March 2022 for an estimated cost of Rs. 1623.43 crore with the objective to mitigate flood threat of 60,000 cusecs on river Jhelum.
The Minister said that the project is under execution and Rs. 114.293 crore from Central Assistance have been spent on it. He added that a total of 30 bank protection works are being executed under this project, out of which, 29 have been tendered and 16 are complete. The progress of these works is 80% in aggregate.
He informed that DPR of “Comprehensive Flood Management works on River Jhelum and its tributaries- Phase-II” was framed at an estimated cost of Rs. 5411.54 crore and the same was submitted to the DoWR (RD&GR), MoJS, Gol for approval.
The Minister said that in-principle approval was accorded by the State Administrative Council with the stipulation that while the department may proceed with implementation of Part-A (estimated at Rs. 1684.6 cr.) utilising the available funds, with respect to the remaining i.e. Part-B, the department may explore financing options. Thereafter, in July 2022, Administrative Approval for Part A of Phase-II has been accorded for Rs. 1623.43 crore.
The Minister said that entry and exit gates in Hokersar wetland have been completed at a cost of Rs. 28.45 crore which is pivotal for rejuvenation of the Hokersar wetland.
Meanwhile, Minister said that Rs. 159.16 funds have been released for repair and maintenance of 20 km Kastigarh canal in Doda during 2022-23 and 2023-24 financial years.
The Minister was replying to a question raised by Shakti Raj Parihar.
The Minister informed that out of Rs 159.16 lakh, Rs 108 lakh expenditure has been made, so far.
He said that Bhagwah Khul, Mandole Khul, Gai Khul, Ganika Khul and Dandi Khul are additional five minor canals, however, no funds have been utilised on these minor khuls during the past 2 years.
The Minister said that Kastigarh Canal was partially functional, however, a portion of the canal was damaged due to landslide in July 2024 which was restored to provide smooth irrigation facility.
He informed that the canal is benefitting the agricultural land in villages namely Kadlal, Malwa, Kuddhar, Manwhas, Parshal, Mundhar, Kastigarh, and adjoining areas.
The Minister said that the canal suffered damages at various spots due to rainfall, snowfall and forest fire during winter season this year. The matter stands taken up with the Deputy Commissioner Doda for release of funds under SDRF.
The Minister added that the audit for utilization of funds for these schemes has been conducted by the Directorate of Audit and Inspections J&K, however, no third party audit has been done.
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