Governor N.N Vohra reviewed the progress of ongoing dredging of river Jhelum from Anantnag to Baramulla, in a meeting held at the Raj Bhavan here today. Under the Prime Minister’s Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Programme 2015, “Priority Works- Comprehensive Plan for Flood Management Works on Jhelum-Phase-I” costing Rs. 399.29 crore for implementing “Comprehensive Plan for Flood Management Works on Jhelum” has recently been sanctioned by the Government of India.The Governor noted that as of 29th February 2016, against targets till end March 2016, the cumulative dredging work done in the Jhelum river stretch from Khannabal Bridge to Halamulla was 2,86,123 cum against a target of 3,59,700 cum; for Sethar to Sempora stretch of the river it was 1,28,419 cum against a target of 1,79,166 cum; for Lasjan to Shalteng stretch, it was 92,380 cum against a target of 1,04000 cum; for Shalteng to Panzinara stretch of the river it was 34,580 cum as against a target of 60,500 cum; for Panzinara to Banyari stretch of the river it was 1,65,950 cum as against a target 2,72,500 cum.
Similarly, for the outfall channel at Baramulla from Pohru to Janbazpora it was 32,090 cum till February 2016 against a target of 38000 cum till March 2016. On the flood spill channel from Padshahi Bagh to Wullar the cumulative achievement was 1,02,050 cum as against a target of 1,34,150 cum.The Governor was informed that the assembly of main dredger at Shivpora is expected to be completed by today, 3rd March, following which the trial run for the process will begin and the construction of two dykes, on the right side of river Jhelum near Shivpora, is almost completed.The Governor noted that as on 29th February 2016 the status of work done in the various stretches in the month of February, 2016 is: 84,423 cum against target of total 80,000 cum in Khannabal Bridge to Halamulla stretch; 15,919 cum against target of 30,000 cum in Sethar to Sempora stretch; 26,230 cum against target of 29,000 cum in Lasjan to Shalteng stretch; 10,900 cum against target of 23,000 cum from Shalteng to Panzinara stretch; 36,750 cum against target of 90,000 cum from Panzinara to Banyari stretch; and 6500 cum against target of 7000 cum from Pohru to Janbazpora stretch.
Dredging has been completed to the extent of 20,230 cum against target of 20,250 cum envisaged to be done in the Flood Spill Channel from Padshahibagh to Wullar.A Raj Bhavan spokesperson recalled that the Governor, has also addressed Ms. Uma Bharti, Minister for Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, and requested urgent release of funds for the dredging of the river Jhelum and its outflow channels. He has requested the Minister’s personal intervention in this matter so that this time bound Project can be completed before the coming monsoon season.After having visited the dredging sites last month, the Governor has been personally monitoring the implementation of this vital Project to ensure that the works are completed as per the envisaged time frame.