Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 27: Expressing “dismay” over the Union Territory’s failure to place the correct ground position regarding the Tawi Barrage project, the High Court of J&K and Ladakh has questioned the Government’s claim that the barrage upstream of the 4th Bridge on River Tawi would be functional by March 2026, observing that the affidavit filed does not disclose whether the project will actually be completed within the promised timeline.
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A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal was hearing PIL No. 31/2018, filed by inhabitants of villages Barjala and Khandwal through Gurdev Singh. The petition was argued by Advocates S S Ahmed, S S Chouhan and M Zulkarnain Chowdhary, while the UT was represented by Senior AAG Monika Kohli. The other respondents were represented by Senior Advocate (DSGI) Vishal Sharma with CGSC Eishaan Dadhichi.
Recalling that the Flood Control Division Jammu had earlier informed the court through Assistant Executive Engineer Sunil Jamwal that the project was near completion and would be functional by March 2026, the Bench noted that the present affidavit does not indicate the “current position on ground”.
The court was further informed that the revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) was pending with the Central Water Commission (CWC) for final appraisal/sanction and that only thereafter the matter would be forwarded to the Ministry of Jal Shakti for allocation of funds. However, DSGI Vishal Sharma submitted that CWC had returned the revised DPR to JKERA for review as the Irrigation & Flood Control Department had not complied with CWC observations, including submission of an incomplete DPR, non-compliance of ePAMS observations dated 24.09.2025, need to review proposed works after field visit, and indecision on the mode of funding.
In view of the submissions, the Bench directed the Chief Executive Officer, JKERA, Shreya Singhal, to join proceedings online. She informed the court that the revised DPR has been resubmitted to the CWC on February 19, 2026, and sought one week’s time to crystallize the entire position and file a detailed affidavit.
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