Union Home Secy takes up issue with JS Ministry
River belt being used by terrorists for infiltration
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, May 3: In a significant decision from security point of view, the Union Home Ministry is likely to give push to Ujh Multipurpose Project in Kathua district anticipating that construction of project and canals would enhance security and people’s movement in the area resulting into strict surveillance as the riverine route is being taken by the terrorists for infiltration and further movement to mountains of Billawar.
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Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan has already spoken to Jal Shakti Ministry Secretary Debashree Mukherjee in this regard, official sources told the Excelsior.
The development comes in the wake of intensified security arrangements in Jammu and Kashmir especially to strengthen Anti-Infiltration Grid and Anti-Terrorism Grid following April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 25 tourists and a local were killed.
Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh, who is also MP from Kathua district, has long been pushing for construction of Ujh Multipurpose Project which will go a long way in irrigation of huge chunk of land in the district and adjacent areas.
However, the project gained significance following reports that Ujh river area is being used by the terrorists for infiltration from Pakistan.
“Construction of Ujh Multipurpose Project and its tributaries will enhance not only movement of security forces but people also leading to strict surveillance on the route which will help check infiltration attempts,” the sources said, adding it is in this context that the Union Home Ministry has intervened into construction of project pending since long and wants the Jal Shakti Ministry to expedite it.
They said the Home Ministry is expected to ensure that not only construction of the project is expedited but it is completed well in time with adequate funding.
There have been reports with security agencies that the terrorists take infiltration route from river Ujh in parts of Paharpur sector to reach Hiranagar and Rajbagh areas in Kathua district and Bamyal in neighbouring Punjab before further reaching Billawar mountains.
Presently, the sources said, police have created three pickets at Pandori bridge to keep a look on infiltration route of Ujh river taken by the terrorists for infiltration. Additional reinforcement of security forces is also being deployed along the route.
Besides security concerns, the Ujh Multipurpose Project will also solve the drinking water problem of the people and provide relief from floods during Monsoon season. It will also have the potential of becoming a tourist spot.
Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Ujh has been revised a number of times, the sources recalled but said this time it’s going to be cleared soon with directions to stick to the timeline fixed by the Government.
The project, as per the sources, will provide irrigation facility to 76929 hectares and it will also generate 196 Mega Watts of electricity.
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