Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 17: Government has kick-started the ambitious $250 million World Bank-funded flood reconstruction programme in the State with several projects being taken up for execution in the first phase.
“Out of the total loan amount of Rs 1600 crore, projects worth Rs 220 crore have been taken up for execution in the first phase under the Flood Recovery and Reconstruction Programme funded by the World Bank,” Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Syed Basharat Bukhari said here today.
Giving details, the Minister said that some of the key projects taken up in the first phase of the WB-funded programme “Reconstruction of Flood-affected Public Infrastructure” include construction of bridge over Romshi Nallah in district Pulwama costing Rs 15.32 crore. He said the bridge is a vital link between Pulwama-Rohmu-Pakherpora and Chrar-e-Sharief and would provide connectivity to a large area in the twin districts of Pulwama and Budgam.
Similarly, he said, some other projects included in the Phase-I of the reconstruction programme include construction of bridge costing Rs 11.25 crore on Anantnag Bypass Road going upto Donipawa, construction of bridge over Nallah Talri near Bhagatpora in Handwara costing Rs 5 crore, upgradation of Ambarpora-Haritar-Sopore road costing Rs 16 crore, construction of bridge over Nallah Rambiara near Trenz, Shopian costing Rs 26 crore, construction of bridge near Loran-Halda in district Poonch costing Rs 7.35 crore, construction of bridge over River Tawi near Dosala in district Udhampur costing Rs 4.25 crore, upgradation of Malangpora-Chakoora-Chudhribagh-Litter and Niana-Chakoora-Tahab roads costing Rs 9 crore and construction of Extension Block at LD Hospital Srinagar costing Rs 41.71 crore.
The Minister said that the flood reconstruction project launched in the wake of massive devastation caused by the September 2014 floods in the State is being funded by credit from World Bank’s concessionary – International Development Association (IDA) and the loan facility has a maturity of 25 years, including a five-year grace period. He said it will also strengthen the capacity of state government to respond and better manage natural disasters in future.
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