Rs2083 crore earmarked for flood management of Jhelum, tributaries: Jal Shakti Minister
Minister for Jal Shakti, Javid Ahmad Rana, said that an amount of Rs 2083 crore has been earmarked for flood management of Jhelum river 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 Jhelum river has been enhanced from 31,800 cusecs to 41,000 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 whereas 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 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% complete 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 5,411.54 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 1,623.43 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.
The gates will be closed during the lean period season to maintain a pondage level of 3-4 feet within the wetland area for nourishing its ecosystem.
