Last Updated on June 10, 2022 at 1:06 pm
Multi-crore centrally sponsored project in Kashmir has failed to achieve its intended target to prevent future flooding as it is still incomplete. A project undertaken to enhance the carrying capacity of the river Jhelum is still not finished completely as the Jammu and Kashmir government is waiting for funds to release.
An approximate amount of Rs 1623 Cr has been kept for comprehensive flood management of river Jhelum and its tributaries- phase-II under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP).
A senior official told Greater Kashmir that J&K administration had given its investment clearance to the project and they are waiting for the union cabinet’s nod followed by central funding.
As per Greater Kashmir, technical sanction for the plan was approved in December 2019 and investment clearance was accorded to the project of Rs 1623.43 Cr on February 19, 2020, but it was conveyed on July 30, 2020.
After the devastating floods of 2014, the Government of India sanctioned the plan for comprehensive flood management of River Jhelum and its tributaries. As per an official order, an amount of Rs 399 Cr was sanctioned for the first phase, of which Rs 323 Cr had been released. After substantially completing the first phase, the government of J&K has sought funds for the second phase.
“The Department of WR, RD & GR may consider phase-II (Part-A) as the ongoing project instead of new because it forms part of the overall project of the PM’s Development Package (PMDP) approved during 2015-16. However, the DoWR, RD & GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti has informed that the scheme has been included under CSS-FMBAP 2021-26. Action for cabinet approval has been initiated by the DoWR, RD & GR. Approval is expected shortly,” the official document adds
