Secretary Planning reviews agency’s functioning, calls for sustainable roadmap across J&K
Srinagar : Secretary, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department, Dr Owais Ahmad, on Monday directed the Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency (JKERA) to prepare a sustainable roadmap and identify innovative, funding-ready projects to accelerate infrastructure development across the Union Territory.
Chairing a review meeting on the agency’s functioning, Dr Ahmad stressed the need for end-to-end project formulation and a coordinated approach covering both Jammu and Kashmir divisions.
He also asked JKERA to explore new projects and identify avenues for securing external financial assistance from central schemes, funding agencies and other sources.
During the meeting, JKERA Chief Executive Officer Akriti Sagar gave a presentation on the agency’s work since its establishment in 2004, highlighting the implementation of three major externally aided projects funded by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.
These include the Multisector Project for Infrastructure Rehabilitation in Jammu and Kashmir (MPIR), the Jammu and Kashmir Urban Sector Development Investment Programme (JKUSDIP) and the Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP).
According to the presentation, JKERA’s interventions have covered roads, bridges, flyovers, drainage systems, water supply, sewage treatment plants and infrastructure in the health, education and livelihood sectors. The agency has also undertaken projects related to disaster management and urban reforms, including water metering and capacity building of urban local bodies.
Sagar informed the meeting that 225 sub-projects had been completed under the World Bank-funded JTFRP. These included roads and bridges, healthcare and educational buildings, oxygen generation plants in remote areas, procurement of medical equipment and ambulances, and acquisition of firefighting and rescue equipment.
The project also supported the development of information technology-based disaster management systems, including the Decision Support System (DSS), Integrated Operational Forecasting System (IOFS) and Disaster Risk Database (DRDB).
JKERA has also undertaken feasibility studies for flood mitigation in the Jhelum and Tawi river basins, the meeting was informed.
The presentation highlighted the agency’s adoption of construction technologies, including seismic-resistant building methods, rigid concrete pavement, green building designs, arch bridges and trenchless technology for drainage construction. Traditional architectural elements have also been used in the restoration of buildings.
Dr Ahmad said the agency had contributed to infrastructure development through externally aided projects and asked it to build on the experience by preparing projects with clear implementation plans and funding prospects.
The meeting was attended by the Director Kashmir, JKERA; Director Jammu, JKERA; Chief Accounts Officer; Additional Secretary (Legal); Collector, JKERA; and Law Officer, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department.
