Timeline fixed for reconstruction of damaged structures
Avtar Bhat
KATHUA, Jan 3: Union Minister of State in PMO with independent charge of Ministries of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that Government has approved a canal system alongside multipurpose Ujh Project to check uncontrolled water flow of river Ujh to Pakistan.
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Talking to reporters here, today on the sidelines of a public darbar and meeting with district administration, Dr Jitendra Singh declared that Ujh multipurpose project which was stalled for a century is being revived now and its surplus water instead of flowing to Pakistan will be utilized through canal system by neighboring States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan besides, Jammu and Kashmir.
The Union Minister said the project though conceived during Maharaja’s rule could not see the light of the day due to certain reasons and after the independence of the country the successive Congress Governments at Centre kept the project in limbo for the vested political reasons. But soon after Narendra Modi took over as Prime Minister in 2014 along with Shahpur Kandi which too was sabotaged by successive Governments for their vested political interests, Ujh Multipurpose Project was also taken up for construction.
He said though Shapur Kandi is now in last phase of completion, the work on Ujh Project could not be taken up in hand as there was a problem that where the surplus water of project would go? He, however, said after the Operation Sindoor last year and Pahalgam terror attack the Government of India scrapped Indus Water Treaty and security forces also suggested that the canal system for Ujh Multipurpose Project will be purposeful in diverting the surplus water to other States instead of flowing to Pakistan. They also stressed on taking up the Project in hand as Ujh has been a route of infiltration from across the border.
Dr Jitendra Singh informed that through the canal system the water of the Ujh Project can be utilized by neighboring States as well as J&K. Click here to watch video
Dr Jitendra Singh said that the allocation of over Rs 1400 crore for J&K by Centre to mitigate damage to public property and other public property during recent floods will also be reviewed during the meeting with administration.
He said his Lok Sabha constituency suffered maximum damage during the floods and cloud bursts and areas affected included Kishtwar, Ramban , Udhampur and Kathua districts. He said out of over Rs 1400 crore, every district in UT will get its share as per the damage suffered. He said the public representatives should remain in touch with administration and frame the report of damage in their respective areas.
The Minister said Rs 10 crore has been allocated for temporary repairs in Kathua and minimal more than Rs two crore each for the damaged public structures. He said the timeline has been fixed and proposals will be prepared within one week and all damaged structures, at whatever cost are required to be ready by August this year.
In response to a question that the outside investors are leaving J&K after the delay in release of industrial package and cold response of Government, Dr Jitendra Singh said the UT Government should avoid the procedural delay in this regard so that the investors don’t get disinterested and disheartened from investing.
Later Dr Jitendra Singh chaired review meeting with the district administration on the developmental projects.
During the meeting, the Minister reviewed fund allocations, flood damage assessments and ongoing infrastructure projects in the district. He announced that a total of over 1,400 crore rupees has been allocated for Jammu & Kashmir, including 10 crore rupees for temporary repairs in Kathua, and minimal more than 2 crore rupees for each of the damaged public assets and structures, subject to assessment by the district administration. He said funds for restoration of permanent infrastructure would be provided by the respective departments.
Dr Jitendra Singh emphasised that public representatives should conduct awareness campaigns in their constituencies to ensure proper utilisation of the allocated funds. He directed the district administration to undertake proactive measures so that no affected person or area is left out. He also instructed the Departments, including Power, PWD and Jal Shakti, to carry out a comprehensive assessment of flood-related damages, and submit fresh proposals within a week, in a mission mode, for consideration by the Government of India.
The Minister directed all departments to ensure timely implementation of projects, thorough damage assessments, and transparent utilisation of allocated funds.
Dr Jitendra Singh highlighted key infrastructure initiatives in the region, including the widening of Dhar Road in Udhampur, which has been approved by the Ministry of Defence. He directed the NHAI to expedite remaining work on the Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Expressway to meet timelines. The Juthana Bridge was identified for early completion, and plans for the completion of Chattergala Tunnel and revival of the Ujh Multipurpose Project were discussed to enhance connectivity and water management.
Dr Jitendra Singh announced approval for a canal system on the Ujh river to check infiltration and utilise uncontrolled water flow towards Pakistan, which, he said, has been cleared by both the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
In the healthcare sector, the Union Minister announced that radiation services will soon be operational at the Cancer Centre in Kathua, and a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) facility has been sanctioned for Kathua Medical College, complementing the MRI services already available in Jammu, and providing advanced diagnostics for local patients.
During the review meeting, Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Rajesh Sharma informed that temporary restoration works of public infrastructure, including roads, power supply and PHE services, have been executed in the district. He further stated that proposals under permanent restoration are being formulated to reconstruct public utilities damaged due to floods and heavy rains.
Local MLAs, Dr Bharat Bhushan and Rajiv Jasrotia; Chairman, DDC, Kathua, Col (retd) Mahan Singh; Vice Chairman, DDC, Raghunandan Singh; several other public representatives; and Superintendent of Police (Operations), Mukund Tibrewal were among those present in the review meeting.
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