Veeri reviews progress on Rs 1500 cr World Bank funded JTFR project

Jammu: Minister for Revenue, Disaster Management, Relief Rehabilitation & Reconstruction and Parliamentary Affairs, Abdul Rehman Veeri Tuesday convened a high-level meeting to review the progress on implementation of Rs 1500 crore Jhelum-Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP), here Tuesday.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary Industries & Commerce Shailendra Kumar, Secretary DMRRR department Shafiq Raina, Director General Police (SDRF) Dilbagh Singh, Development Commissioner Works Bimal Tickoo, General Manager JKPCC Har Kewal Singh, Director Finance M Y Pandit, Director Disaster Management Aamir Ali, Director P&C Iftikhar Ahmad Hakim and other concerned officers.
Taking note of the progress made in the project, the Minster asked all concerned to strictly follow deadlines to expedite work on this prestigious project besides directing for initiating all related works by December end. He also sought details of ongoing works under this project.
The meeting was briefed about project’s progress and about the issues hampering the pace of the project.
The Minister also took indepth review of various sub-projects being executed under the Jhelum – Tawi Flood Recovery Project.
While giving details of the works to be carried out by Industries department, Commissioner Secretary Industries & Commerce apprised the Minister that works at Bemina Woolen Mills, Silk Factory Srinagar and Bagh-e-Ali Mardan Khan would be commenced by December end.  He also said the construction work of Craft Development Institute Srinagar (CDI) will also be initiated soon and simultaneously required machinery to be installed at the Institute would be procured in consultation with experts.
Veeri asked the Industries department to generate data based information of all artisans registered with the government so that they can benefit from various welfare schemes.
Deliberations were also held on setting up of International Trade Centre (ITC) and Kashmir Haat-II in Pampore. It was informed that land for both the projects have been identified and required formalities will be completed at the earliest.
It was also decided in the meeting that existing Common Facility Centre (CFC) at Sethar in Bijbehara and Cricket Bat Manufacturing Centre would be renovated which were damaged due to floods in the valley.
Directing the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) for expediting the works under the project, the Minister asked to initiate all the works by December end. He directed the SMC to prepare DPRs for 76 new projects and complete all the necessary formalities for starting the works on same.
Reviewing the status of R&B works taken up under the JTFRP, the Minister was informed that the Terms of Reference (TOR) have been approved by the World Bank and soon a team comprising of experts would be visiting the state after which the tender will be floated through e-tendering process.
With regard to upgradation of infrastructure in government schools, the Minister directed the concerned officers to create class rooms for Higher Secondary Schools to provide additional accommodation to the students.
It was further informed that out of total 460 R&B works, 300 are being executed in Kashmir and 160 to be taken up in Jammu division.
While reviewing the works of JKPCC, it was informed that out of 5 road projects, work on 2 is in progress besides taking up the construction work of a bridge.
The Minister also directed them to expedite the work on construction of additional building at LD Hospital.
Discussing the progress on Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) at Gogo Land in Srinagar, the Minister directed the JKPCC to widen the existing approach road leading to EOC for its better utilization during emergency.
DGP, SDRF, while giving out the details of the measures taken to meet any eventuality, informed that process of buying boats is under process and a good number of boats have been received by SDRF. Other necessary equipments required are being procured in a phased manner.
‘’This project provides an opportunity to rebuild or upgrade the required infrastructure to increase disaster resilience in the affected districts including Srinagar and to prepare for responding effectively during any emergency situation during floods, earthquake or any kind of natural disaster’’, the Minister said.
Veeri, while directing the concerned officers for close monitoring of the works, asked them to ensure clearing of all related formalities including preparation of DPRs, tendering process and others in a speedy manner for effective implementation of the project. He said this prestigious project needs to be completed at the earliest so that the people of the state would be benefitted and a strong mechanism would be put in place to respond during emergency situations.