Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 30: Chief Secretary, B B Vyas today chaired the Apex Committee meeting, to review the progress of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project and clear the bottlenecks impeding expeditious completion of the prestigious project particularly in the Katra-Banihal section.
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), USBRL Project, Commissioner/Secretary, Forests, Ecology & Environment, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir and other senior officers of the State Government and Railway authorities were present in the meeting. Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Deputy Commissioners, Reasi and Ramban participated via video conferencing.
The 326 Km Rail Link is planned to provide an alternate transportation to the State. Of this, the 54 km Jammu-Udhampur section was commissioned in 2005 and the remaining 272 km portion between Udhampur and Baramulla was declared as National Project. Till date, 118 Km section of Qazigund- Baramulla, the 18 Km Qazigund-Banihal and the 25 Km section of Udhampur- Katra have been completed.
During the meeting, timelines were drawn to address various issues related to land acquisition in the Katra-Banihal section and construction of 132 KV Transmission Line from Katra to Reasi and Ramban to Sangaldan for the Railway’s Integrated Sub-Station. A number of land issues were also resolved during the meeting.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary, chaired a meeting to review the progress of various infrastructural and sanitation projects being undertaken for the development of Katra town and its adjoining areas.
Administrative Secretaries of the departments of Housing and Urban Development, Forests, Ecology & Environment, Animal Husbandry, PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control and Tourism, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Director General, Fire & Emergency Services and other senior officers attended the meeting. Divisional Commissioner, Jammu and Deputy Commissioner, Reasi participated via video conferencing.
Chief Secretary received brief from the concerned Administrative Secretaries in regard to the status of various infrastructural projects including setting up of Solid Waste and Sewage Treatment Plants, augmentation of water supply, modernization of power supply system, improving veterinary facilities, strengthening of Fire Station, ensuring sanitation and cleanliness, implementation of the directions of the National Green Tribunal for the shrine area and development of tourist related infrastructure.
Chief Secretary stressed upon time bound implementation of all works. Divisional Commissioner, Jammu was directed to visit Katra Town along with the concerned officers to ensure expeditious implementation of the projects in accordance with the timelines fixed for each.
Meanwhile, Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) headed by Chief Secretary, cleared 14 proposals of urgent developmental and public importance, on the specified terms and conditions.
While reiterating the directions for ensuring minimum felling of trees and undertaking compensatory afforestation over alternate land in lieu of diversion of forest land, Chief Secretary directed that in all development projects involving forests, the concerned user agency should consult the Forest Department at the DPR stage itself.
Chief Secretary observed that Forests being the precious resource, it is imperative that a harmonious balance between development and conservation is maintained at all costs.
Chief Secretary emphasized on strict monitoring of approved works in the forest areas by an officer not below the rank of Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) and ensuring against any deviation by the user agencies. He also stressed on developing dumping sites as ecological reserves.
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