Steps initiated to establish Transport Yard-cum-Warehouse at Udhampur fail to yield results

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 12: Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh today informed the Legislative Assembly that civic works and other infrastructure is being developed  in the major   towns under State Capex Budget’s twin schemes of Integrated Development of Medium Towns (IDMT) in Urban Development Sector and Town Drainage Schemes in ‘Drainage Sector.’
He said that annual ceiling in action plan and works programme under IDMT, for execution of different nature of works on year to year basis, is approved for each town and is determined on the basis of population and number of wards criteria.  He said the works programme is finalized in consultation with the respective public representatives.
The DyCM was replying to a Calling Attention Notice of Legislator Pawan Kumar Gupta moved to call the attention of the Government towards the need to provide additional funds for the development of new wards in Udhampur town, to expedite the provision of Transport Nagar, Ware House and establishment of Solid Waste Management Plant in the town.
The Dy CM said 4 wards have been added to Udhampur town taking the total number to 21 and the annual allocation under the twin schemes is provided for the entire township including the newly added wards. He said in the year 2015-16 around 21 works were executed and completed in Udhampur town under IDMT at an estimated cost of Rs. 48.25 lakh, while additional Rs 50 lakh were provided under the same scheme for execution and completion of seven works, which included 2 works in newly added 4 wards, at an estimated cost of Rs. 14.50 lakh.
The Minister further said that in the year 2016-17, over 16 works were executed and completed at an estimated cost of Rs. 48.25 lakh, of which two works at an estimated cost of Rs. 11.30 lakh were completed in newly added wards of the town.
He said during current financial year (2017-18), an allocation of Rs 36 lakh has been approved for the town under State Capex Budget   IDMT scheme, for execution of 13 works, including one work in newly added ward at an estimated cost of Rs 4 lakh which has also been completed.
He said that in addition an amount of Rs 30 lakh has been released under the same scheme to meet the emergent Public Demands. “Around   11 works have been identified in consultation with the local MLA,   of which three works have been executed and completed in the newly added wards of the Udhampur town” he added.
Responding to the issue of development of Transport Yard-cum-Warehouse, the DyCM said that in pursuance to a decision taken in DDB meeting, a concept report was prepared by the DDC Udhampur through RITES Consultancy in 2010, who suggested for establishment of the project in PPP mode.
He said that the concerned DDC submitted concept report to the PD&MD for further appropriate action and the later forwarded the   report to the H&UD for further examination and seeking report and comments in the matter.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that it was felt necessary to obtain present status of the land which was shown feasible by the Consultants for development of Transport Yard cum Warehouse Udhampur on PPP mode as well as to ascertain source of funding, economical viability of the project.
Dr Singh said as per  DDC’s report  the  proposed  614 kanal  and 16 marla land for establishment of Transport Nagar  has been notified for establishment of a Housing Colony and its acquisition proceedings are underway and hearing of objections under Section 5&5 (A) of land Acquisition Act is going on.
He said the DDC Udhampur has also intimated that there is no big chunk of State / private land adjoining/adjacent to the National Highway Battal Ballian road available for establishment of Transport Yard cum Warehouse.
The DyCM said in view of the present scenario, the DDC Udhampur has been advised to take further action, so that the firm proposal for development of Transport Yard cum Warehouse Udhampur on PPP mode is prepared.
With regard to Solid Waste Management Plant, he that said after launching of Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) in the State,it has been suggested to develop SWMPs on cluster basis. He said that revenue papers for transfer of land measuring 98 kanal and 5 marlas for establishment of Solid Waste Management (SWM) Project at MC Udhampur stands submitted to the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu for its transfer.
He said that DPRs stand prepared and technical appraisal conducted by AIILSG-Consultancy at a cost of Rs 36.82 crore, while Request for Proposal (REF) has been floated for inviting response from the potential bidders for construction of SWM projects at the identified sites.
The DyCM said that the Chief Executive Officer, Municipal Council, Udhampur has already been directed to stop dumping of   waste in front of Water Lifting Plant near river Tawi and explore new site  in consultation with the Deputy Commissioner .

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