Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 18: Maintaining that the study of River Morphology would be a major step towards comprehensive Flood Management Programme, Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Syed Basharat Bukhari today said the hotspots for dredging and strengthening the embankments of River Jhelum would be taken up on priority.
The Minister was addressing officers during the review meeting convened to discuss the measures underway for effective and speedy implementation of Rs 1500 crore World Bank Funded Jhelum and Tawi Flood Recovery and Management Project (FMP).
Financial Commissioner, Planning Development and Monitoring, Relief and Rehabilitation Department B B Vyas, Director Finance, Relief and Rehabilitation Shagufta Qazi, Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Mir Javed Jaffar, Director Administration, Noor-u-Din Andrabi and other senior officers were also present.
The Minister said that timely completion of the project is pivotal as we would be putting in place an effective mechanism for management and prevention of the natural calamities which have in past resulted in colossal damage to the life and property in the State. He said that the officers should synergize their efforts to ensure that it is completed within the stipulated time frame and in accordance with the already laid down guidelines of the World Bank.
The meeting was informed that team of officers and experts is already in constant consultation with the World Bank officials at New Delhi for clearance of the DPRs submitted by different departments so that the necessary action can be initiated on these. A senior Chief Engineer is camping in Delhi to discuss model DPRs prepared by the State Government with regard to roads and buildings constructions besides school and hospital buildings, the meeting was told.
It was further given out that draft Terms of Reference (ToR) for in depth study of River Jhelum has been drafted and would be taken up with the World Bank so as to concretize them immediately for further necessary action.
It was also emphasized that the study of River Morphology will be the first major step for comprehensive flood management project for Jhelum River and other rivers/water bodies.
The Minister on the occasion inaugurated a comprehensive website on the Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery and Management Project which would be providing all the requisite information about the project, besides the initiatives being undertaken.
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