Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat today E-inaugurated 42 Water Supply Schemes (WSS) completed at an estimated cost of Rs 73.86 crore.The WSS will cater to 2.32 lakh people and provide drinking water to 46400 functional household tap connections (FHTC) of six districts of JK which include Baramulla, Kulgam, Anantnag, Poonch, Kathua and Jammu. Chief Secretary, Jammu & Kashmir B. V. R. Subrahmanyam; Commissioner (SPR) Department of Water Resources, RD&GR, K. Vohra; Additional Secretary PHE, I& FC Department, J&K, Pankaj Magotra; Chief Engineer, PHE Jammu, Dr. Sanjeev Kr Chadha, CE I&FC Kashmir, M.M Shahnawaz; CE PHE Department Kashmir, Abdul Wahid; Executive Director, JKSPDC, Arun Kishore Raina; Chief Wildlife Warden, J&K, Suresh Gupta; Chief Engineer IBO, Chandigarh, Shiv Nandan Kumar; Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, J&K, Dr. Mohit Gera; Chief Engineer, I&FC/RTIC Department Jammu, Ashok Sharma; Director (W/Q) Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Ajay Kumar; Director (Plg) PHE, I&FC Department, Mohammad Yousuf Bhat besides representatives of WAPCOS and other senior officials attended the meeting.The Minister reviewed overall functioning of the department and deliberated on the strategy for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and centrally sponsored Schemes in Jammu and Kashmir.Commissioner Secretary, PHE& I&FC Ajit Kumar Sahu, briefed that the department is working hard to connect each and every household of JK with FHTC by December 2021 against the national target of 2024. For this, a three phased strategy has been devised to achieve objectives under this initiative with Phase I aimed for completion by June 2020.
Elaborating on Phase I, Sahu said that seven districts including four in Kashmir division namely Srinagar, Ganderbal, Shopian, Pulwama and three in Jammu division namely Reasi, Poonch and Samba, besides 52 additional blocks from other districts, will be taken up for cent percent coverage to ensure FHTC by June 2020.While reviewing the National Projects, the Minister assured full support for the projects. Threadbare discussions were held regarding removing of bottlenecks, maintaining quality assessment and early completion of such projects, which include Ujh multipurpose project, Shahpurkandi Dam, comprehensive Flood management works on River Jhelum, improvement and strengthening of main Ravi and Tawi canals, Flood management and anti-erosion measures along river Chenab, construction of protection works on most vulnerable spots downstream Akhnoor bridge and others.During the meeting, detailed deliberations were held regarding the successful implementation strategy to be used for JJM in J&K. The Minister directed for special awareness exercises with focus on increasing awareness and community participation at village/panchayat level to promote water conservation at individual level. He also appreciated the enthusiasm of the department for achieving the FHTC programme before the set target.He said that while execution of the projects, engineers should think about the long term Operation and management (O&M) strategy and sustainability of the project while planning, development of the WSS. He also asked the department to focus on devising ways for grey water management and its successful reuse. He further said that disposal mechanism should also be maintained.He stressed upon the officials that it is the time to gear up the pace of work with more zeal and dedication for the betterment and welfare of the general masses as the said department plays a vital role in the life of people and can successfully fulfil its mandate by providing drinking water to all.He also asked the department to multiply the work of sanctioned projects and ensure that the said projects should be completed soon without any more delay. He asked the department to focus on capacity building measures of communities to encourage people to think for their welfare and development of their community.He urged upon the officials that existing projects should be immediately addressed so that the common person gets benefit from such projects. He also said that JK would be an example for every one for implementation of JJM before the set target.Earlier, the Minister inaugurated CFC, renovated pond, roads under PMGSY, compound walls, class room, ground and shelter shed for border migrants through electronic mode in Barnoti and Hiranagar blocks.