1,227 Works and 8,804 Houses to be Restored across J&K
Srinagar:The State Executive Committee (SEC) of the Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRR&R), chaired by Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, Tuesday accorded approval to a comprehensive set of disaster recovery and reconstruction interventions to be taken up across Jammu and Kashmir under the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) assistance sanctioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) through the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Finance; Principal Secretary, Home; Commissioner Secretary, Forests; Commissioner Secretary, School Education, besides senior officers of DMRR&R and representatives of other concerned departments.
The third meeting of the SEC reviewed the action plans submitted by various departments for undertaking restoration and reconstruction works aimed at rebuilding damaged public infrastructure, restoring essential services, reviving livelihoods and strengthening the disaster resilience of communities across the UT.
The approved interventions involve an immediate financial outlay of Rs 664.54 Cr, covering 1,227 infrastructure works and restoration of 8,804 fully and severely damaged houses.
Addressing the meeting Chief Secretary underscored the importance of strategically utilizing sanctioned assistance to enhance disaster resilience in Jammu and Kashmir, rather than solely focusing on infrastructure restoration. He directed relevant departments to ensure timely and effective use of funds, emphasizing that the entire assistance package should bolster disaster preparedness, restore livelihoods, and improve the region’s capacity to respond to future disasters. Close coordination and adherence to timelines and quality standards were highlighted as essential for delivering benefits to affected populations promptly. Principal Secretary Chandraker Bharti presented a detailed reconstruction and development roadmap, which is part of a broader Rs 1,416 crore departmental plan for 2026-27, aligned with an approved assistance ceiling of Rs 1,534.58 crore under the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) framework. The recovery program encompasses social, infrastructure, productive, and cross-cutting sectors, focusing on restoring essential public services and community assets while enhancing resilience against future disasters. Significant allocations include Rs 188.35 crore for housing recovery, aimed at reconstructing 8,804 severely damaged houses, thereby providing affected families with safe and resilient housing. The education sector will receive Rs 29.28 crore for restoring 175 educational facilities, ensuring continuity of learning for children. Additionally, Rs 118 crore has been designated for the Jal Shakti Department to restore critical water supply infrastructure, while Rs 196.45 crore is allocated for flood protection works by the Irrigation & Flood Control Department. Recognizing the role of tourism in economic recovery, Rs 32.63 crore has been allocated to restore tourism assets and cultural heritage sites. Furthermore, Rs 99.83 crore is earmarked for ecological restoration projects by the Forest, Ecology & Environment Department, aimed at enhancing the ecological resilience of affected areas. All projects will adhere to national recovery guidelines and disaster-resilient standards, with a strong emphasis on the “build back better” principle to ensure that restored infrastructure can withstand future hazards. This approved recovery package represents a significant advancement in translating PDNA assistance into actionable interventions, with the ultimate goal of restoring and rebuilding the region while fostering a safer and more resilient Jammu and Kashmir.
