8 ‘Rs 73.60 cr required to restore damaged public utilities’
Speaker rejects adjournment motion
Bivek Mathur
SRINAGAR, Oct 28: The Government today informed the Legislative Assembly that 2,788 families were affected by the recent flash floods in the Jammu district, which also caused extensive damage to the infrastructure and public utilities across several areas.
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Pertinently, Jammu, Udhampur, Kishtwar, Reasi and Doda were among the worst-affected districts where heavy downpours triggered floods and landslides, leading to loss of lives, destruction of livestock, and large-scale damage to roads, buildings, and essential services.
In reply to an unstarred question by BJP MLA from Bahu Assembly segment, Choudhary Vikram Randhawa, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also in-charge of the Housing and Urban Development Department, said, “Total 2, 788 families have been identified as affected in the Jammu district in the recent deluge.”
Regarding the losses to the infrastructure, the Chief Minister said the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), Jal Shakti Department (JSD), and Urban Environmental Engineering Department (UEED) have reported 404 vital public utilities damaged, with Rs 73.30 crores required to restore them.
He informed the House that JMC reported damages to 132 lanes, drains, and roads, for which Rs 34.58 crore is needed.
He said the Jal Shakti Department identified 133 affected works involving pipelines and machinery with an estimated restoration cost of Rs 4.12 crore and the UEED recorded major losses to 13 sewerage and 126 drainage works, requiring Rs 11.49 crore and Rs 23.41 crore respectively for repairs.
The Chief Minister assured that relief is being extended to all affected families as per the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms.
“The assessment, verification, and disbursement of relief are being carried out in a time-bound manner to ensure prompt rehabilitation of the affected population,” he said.
Abdullah also informed that an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) deputed by the Ministry of Home Affairs visited the Jammu Division from September 3 to 6, 2025, to assess the flood damages.
The team’s findings will help finalize additional financial assistance from the Centre based on sector-wise damage reports, he said.
Highlighting long-term preventive measures, the Chief Minister said the Jammu Municipal Corporation has prepared Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) worth Rs 260 crore for strengthening and upgrading drainage systems in vulnerable and flood-prone areas of Jammu city.
“These projects aim to enhance the city’s resilience against extreme rainfall events and prevent large-scale inundation in the future,” he added.
Meanwhile, noisy scenes were witnessed in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly today after Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather rejected an adjournment motion moved by the BJP for a discussion on the “humanitarian crisis” caused by the recent natural calamity in the Union Territory.
As soon as the House proceedings started, BJP MLA from Udhampur West, Pawan Gupta, moved a motion to adjourn the Question Hour to seek a discussion on the matter.
However, the Speaker rejected the adjournment motion, saying “it was not a recent occurrence”.
“There are many questions admitted on this subject. Yesterday also this subject was discussed in the House. The chief minister gave a detailed answer,” Rather said.
The BJP members did not relent and rose on their feet seeking adjournment of the Question Hour.
“This is not the way. All of you are on your feet. This is not your cause. I have rejected the motion. Speaker’s decision is final,” Rather said.
The Speaker said there is a resolution moved by Gupta on the same subject which is listed on Wednesday.
“Do not waste the time of the House,” the Speaker added.
However, the BJP members continued to demand adjournment, raising slogans “Jammu Kay Saath Insaaf Karo, Insaaf Karo (do justice with Jammu)”.
The Speaker then read the relevant rule under which he had rejected the motion, after which the BJP members relented and the House proceedings started.
The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Monday pegged the losses caused by the floods to agriculture and allied sectors at Rs 209 crore, and said a report would be sent to the Centre with a request for relief.
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