Next month will see completion of one year of devastating floods in Kashmir and also in parts of Jammu. Relief and rehabilitation of affected people, though begun with seriousness, could not be fully completed for various reasons. As such even after the lapse of one year, much remains to be done. The Government has come under criticism from various organs of civil society why it has not initiated some essential remedial measures to protect the densely populated areas including the cities and towns that are vulnerable to flash floods. For example, when heavy rains lashed the Valley again this July and Jhelum and its tributaries showed signs of overflowing of water, the entire population of Srinagar was scared and reminded of the trauma they had undergone during last September floods. Everybody asked why the Government was not considering a comprehensive plan for flood protection.
The Cabinet, in its recent meeting, has given nod to the proposal of the Relief and Rehabilitation Department for availing World Bank assistance of USD 250 Million (Rs 1500 crore approx) for Jhelum-Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) and for signing of the Subsidiary Agreement with the Department of Economic Affairs, Government of India for it. Actually, in the aftermath of September 2014 floods, the State Government separately sought a credit line facility from World Bank under the External Aided Projects through Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Government of India on soft loan basis. This is not a new thing. Such means of raising funds have been explored previously and, for example, the Dal cleaning project was also aided by a foreign funding agency. The amount promised by the World Bank is for flood control in both Jhelum and Tawi rivers. We understand that this project has been drawn very carefully and various aspects have been taken care of. Summing up the approach to the implementation of the project it may be said that its components include reconstruction and strengthening of critical infrastructure, reconstruction of roads and bridges, restoration of urban flood management infrastructure, restoration and strengthening of livelihoods, strengthening disaster risk management capacity and Implementation Support. Obviously, the State Government has gained much experience about what causes floods, how the floods cause damages and what should be done to manage the disaster. We believe that the project is well planned and all that remains to be done is to wait and watch if the World Bank gives its approval to the amount of loan sought.
A few questions shall have to be taken into account once the project is floated in practice. We understand that not only the rivers, Jhelum and Tawi need drudging; the nullahs and feeders also need to be cleaned and drudged so that there is no obstruction to the flow of water. Illegal encroachments have to be vacated and politics should not be allowed to supervene in that process. Hokarsar wetland in Narbal area of Srinagar has been identified as the main reason for flooding of the city during the floods of September 2014. According to available report silt as deep as eight feet has accumulated on this wetland body and as such it is the main obstruction for the flow of water from the flood channel outlet. In Jammu city, the threat comes from the nullahs that flow into Tawi and cause inundation. The project of joining the 12 nullahs of Jammu into one main and diverting its flow is a mega plan to ensure safety of Jammu from flood water inundating the city. Likewise the cleaning and drudging of Tawi at vulnerable points is of much importance.
All that we have to say is that the amount of financial assistance from the World Bank should be utilized very judiciously and with clear vision of how much is to be invested in which component of the project. It is good that a committee headed by the Chief Secretary has been announced to be the nodal point for everything concerning the implementation of the project and the delivery after the project is completed within the stipulated time. It will be a sad day if at any given time in future we are told that such and such a component of the project could not be completed within the time frame. The Government should ensure that contracts for various works area given only to bonfide contractors of proven honesty and responsibility.
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