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Flood control project worth Rs 1600 crores approved for Jhelum river

Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha chaired Administrative Council (AC) meeting to approve Jhelum flood control project by the Jal Shakti Department.

The meeting was attended by Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, J&K, and Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor. The Project-Comprehensive Plan for River Jhelum and its tributaries, Phase (II) Part (A), totaling Rs. 1623.43 crore, was approved by the Administrative Council as part of the PM’s Development Package.

In order to effectively reduce a flood hazard of 1700 Cumec (60,000 cusecs), the proposed projects are based on the site conditions and issues of the main Jhelum downstream of Sangam up to Wullar Lake, flood spill channel, and outfall channel, including tributaries. To address the drainage congestion concerns for safe passage of flood waters and to reduce the potential loss of life and property, channel improvement and protection works at vulnerable points in the river Jhelum, flood spill channel, and outfall channel have been suggested.

The project consists of several parts, including raising of bunds and embankments, bank and toe protection work, re-sectioning and channel improvement of the main Jhelum and flood spill channel, renovation of bridges at various RDs in the OFC, erosion control measures at vulnerable reaches of the main Jhelum, outfall channel, and flood spill channel, as well as dredging and widening of outfall channels.

The project would safeguard the flood-prone regions along the Jhelum in the districts of Srinagar, Budgam, Baramulla, Anantnag, Pulwama, and Bandipora. The completion of project is expected to create significant employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled labourers. It will take around three years to finish.

The project was designed in accordance with suggestions given by a three-member panel led by the Chairman of the Central Water Commission at the Prime Minister’s request. It was established immediately after the September 2014 floods. It will lessen the Jhelum basin’s 1700 Cumec (60000 cusec) flood hazard.