Secy I&FC takes stock of dredging work on Flood Spill Channel

Srinagar: Secretary PHE, I&FC, Farooq Ahmad Shah Saturday inspected the dredging work on the Flood Spill Channel (FSC) from Bemina to Naidkhai and called for redoubling of efforts to ensure the completion of the work within the stipulated timeframe.
The Secretary toured the entire stretch of FSC from Bemina to Naidkhai and reviewed the pace of work. He directed the officials to increase deployment of men and machinery and ensure that the first phase of the stretch from Bemina to Hokersar is de-silted by March 2019. He said in the second phase the remaining portion of the channel upto Wullar Lake, will de-silted which will result in greatly increasing the carrying capacity of the FSC. The entire project also includes de-silting of Doodhganga diversion channel.
The Secretary interacted with employees and people at Bemina, Khushipora, Shareefabad and Hokersar to get their feedback. Taking strong notice of power transmission towers built on the banks of FSC, the Secretary directed the officials to take up the matter with PDD and ensure their removal at the earliest. He also directed officials to ensure zero tolerance for encroachments on the banks of FSC, Jhelum and other water bodies. He said if any officer is found delaying the removal of encroachments, strict action will be taken against the officials. The Secretary said two officers were recently suspended because of their inability to remove encroachment within 24 hours.
The Secretary also inspected the construction of two bridges over FSC at Shreefabad and Naidkhai. The two bridges are coming up at a cost of Rs 35 crores. He said once the bridges are completed, it will ease the life of a large section of the population.
The Secretary also visited Tengpora where resection of FSC from Tengpora to Rambagh has been started. He said this section is of vital importance and efforts should be made to complete it at the earliest.
He said any defaulter contractor or the contractor working not upto the mark will face cancellation of their allotted tenders. He said the projects are of utmost importance and Governor is personally monitoring the project. He said these works once finished will greatly reduce the risks of flood in the coming years.
He said the two dredgers working at Baramulla Outfall channel are working 12 hours daily and positive results are coming due to the progress.
CE I&FC, M M Shahnawaz and other senior officers also accompanied the secretary.