JKERA, JTFRP resumes work on projects in Kashmir Post-Covid lockdown

Jammu: With a dual objective of the resumption of the developmental activities and restoration of the economic activities in the Valley for the creation of employment opportunities among the locals in thePost- COVID scenario, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Chief Executive Officer, J&K Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) & Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project ( JTFRP ) directed the officials of the project Management Unit JTFRP to restart work on projects across districts within the Kashmir division.
During the meeting CEO, JKERA/JTFRP was informed that JKERA/JTFRP has so far resumed work on the different prestigious Infrastructure projects in North, Central & South Kashmir.
It was revealed that work has been resumed on the Construction of State of the Art 5 –storeyed additional Block at Lal Ded Maternity Hospital Srinagar being executed by JTFRP through Project Implementation Unit, JKPCC at an estimated cost of Rs 132.5 crores. The existing hospital is the only facility of its kind in the region to provide health services on gynae and child care; which is under tremendous pressure due to increase in patients with population growth. Therefore, the construction of the additional block will ease the increasing pressure and demand for improved facilities, including the needs of present and future and to create a more resilient infrastructure.
The new block is proposed to be constructed with base isolation technology which is being used for the first time in J&K for disaster resilience and performance-based design.
The main features of the hospital are 82 inpatient beds, 49 floating beds, 6 modular OTs, 3 wards, State of the Art medical equipment
Pilling work for the foundation of the main building and sump house is underway with heavy machinery, adequate labour and engineering staff deployed at the site along with the sufficient stock of steel and cement also kept at site to ensure that work is executed uninterrupted. Dr Abid impressed upon officials of JKPCC to redouble their efforts for timely completion of the project which will lead to a major augmentation of the existing infrastructure in LD Hospital, Srinagar. Focusing on the need to mobilize adequate resources in the project, the CEO underlined the vital importance of the project for the general public and asked for a weekly progress upon designed format.
In North Kashmir, work has re started on the construction of Gogjidaji bridge at the cost of Rs 6.17 crores connecting Sopore via Tarzoo-Naidkhai to Sumbal Bandiporeand benefitting about 30,000 plus souls. About 15 villages will get benefitted by way of connectivity with National Highway due to the bridge. Work has also restarted on the upgradation of Amberpora- Haritar road at the cost of Rs 8.03 Cr in Baramulla District connecting villages of Amberpora, Akhanpora, Haritar and Rabi Gaon and a population of about 60000. It will provide an alternate route from Sopore via Tarzoo to Pattan. Resumption of work on the other sub-projects in North Kashmir will be taken up soon.
In South Kashmir work on the Construction of Rs 9.22 crores additional block of the Govt. Degree College, Bijbehara and also on the upgradation of Rs 4.98 crore Halmulla- Panchpora Kralkot in the Anantnag District has also been resumed. Similarly, efforts are underway to resume work on the other sub-projects in south Kashmir with contractors directed to mobilize men and machinery at an earliest.
JKERA has also resumed work on some of some pending works under the Construction of Jehangir Chowk Rambagh- Flyover and Grade Separator near Radio Kashmir Junction, Srinagar under the Asian Development Bank funded JKUSDIP.
Dr Abid directed the engineers to strictly adhere to the SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) issued by the U.T Administration for the execution of developmental activities which include social distancing, health and hygiene measures like provision of sanitizers etc to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
He also directed the officials, that local human resource be involved in the works in order to create employment opportunities for skilled and unskilled human resource besides leading to participative ownership of the projects among the local communities. The CEO directed for restarting construction activities in all districts of the valley on the projects taken up by the JTFRP to achieve progress and tangible outcomes. It was directed that a weekly progress report will be submitted to the CEO for regular follow up and monitoring of the different sub-projects.
Pertinent to mention that JTFRP has been one of the first organizations to restart the developmental activities across Jammu and, especially in light of the livelihood generation aspects, in the Post-COVID-19 economic scenario under stress due to the Pandemic. Further the restart of such big tickets projects will revitalizes the local economy by pumping the liquidity in the economy thus improving the post-COVID economic recovery.