Tawi Riverfront Stands as Jammu’s Shield Under LG Manoj Sinha
Gaurav Gupta
For decades, the Tawi River has been both a lifeline and a source of fear for the people of Jammu. Known for its sudden surges and destructive floods, the river has often left the city vulnerable to large-scale devastation. The memories of the September 2014 floods, when the river swelled to 4,78,600 cusecs, are still fresh in public memory. Entire neighborhoods were inundated, property worth hundreds of crores was destroyed, and families were displaced. Fast forward to August-September 2025, when the Tawi witnessed its highest-ever recorded discharge of 5,10,600 cusecs – a flood of unprecedented magnitude. Yet, this time the story was different. Jammu stood protected, its people safe, and its economy intact. The reason was the Tawi Riverfront Development Project, executed with foresight, meticulous planning, and consistent monitoring.
Had this project not materialized, Jammu would have faced devastation on an unimaginable scale. Localities such as Warehouse, Gandhi Nagar, Jewel Chowk, Talab Tillo, Canal Road and adjoining areas – densely populated and vital for the city’s commercial life – would have borne the brunt of the flood fury. The financial losses alone would have been crippling, while the loss of human lives would have left scars for generations. Instead, the riverfront acted as a robust shield, saving both lives and livelihoods. This is not just an engineering success but a historic moment of relief and pride for Jammu.
The Tawi Riverfront was conceived not only as a flood protection mechanism but as a holistic project to transform the city’s relationship with its river. At its core lies flood mitigation, ensuring that Jammu will never again face the destruction it once feared. Alongside, the project also integrates multiple forward-looking objectives: creating recreational spaces and a central business district, tackling environmental concerns through diversion of polluting nallahs into interceptor drains, and eventually developing a freshwater lake in conjunction with a barrage by the Irrigation and Flood Control Department. Together, these initiatives make it a project of safety, sustainability, and future growth.
The true strength of the riverfront lies in its engineering excellence, modeled on the acclaimed Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad and guided by the same expert consultants. Its most striking feature is the Diaphragm Wall – an RCC wall embedded about ten meters below the riverbed. This deep foundation, reinforced with anchor slabs and stepped retaining walls, creates a monolithic RCC structure that is virtually unshakable. It is this design innovation that ensured the riverfront withstood the fury of the 2025 floods, emerging unscathed and proving its worth beyond doubt.
The journey of the project also reflects strong administrative resolve. Between 2017 and 2020, the project was tendered four times by the Jammu Development Authority (JDA), but every attempt failed to take off. It was only after Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Ji laid the foundation stone and personally monitored progress that the project came alive. Construction of Part A, Phase I began in February 2022 under Jammu Smart City, and today the major structural works stand completed, with finishing touches underway – turning a long-pending dream into a reality.
However, this must only be seen as the first step. The pilot project for the Tawi Riverfront was originally conceived for a stretch of 3.5 km from the Barrage to upstream of the Gujjar Nagar Bridge. Of this, Phase I – covering 1.2 km from the Barrage to Bikram Chowk – now stands completed. The remaining stretch under Phase II, from Bikram Chowk Bridge to upstream of Gujjar Nagar Bridge, should also be taken up at the earliest. Only then will the entire city be secured.
I strongly urge the govt. to move forward with Phase II so that vulnerable areas such as Gujjar Nagar, the Jogi Gate Cremation Ground, and Jammu University also remain fully protected against future floods. Completing this section will ensure that the entire riverfront delivers its full promise – safety, resilience, and transformation for all of Jammu.
The impact of the Tawi Riverfront extends far beyond physical infrastructure. It is a symbol of resilience, showing how thoughtful governance can transform vulnerability into strength. It is a guarantee of safety, ensuring that future generations of Jammu residents will not live in fear of floods. And it is a catalyst for growth, opening opportunities for recreation, commerce, tourism, and environmental restoration.
The people of Jammu now look at the Tawi with renewed confidence. What was once feared as a destructive force is now embraced as an asset, thanks to the riverfront that secures its banks. This transformation will be remembered as a watershed moment in the city’s history, and much of the credit goes to the administration under the guidance of the Lieutenant Governor.
When the Tawi raged in August-September 2025, it was not destruction that defined Jammu’s story but protection, resilience, and triumph. The Tawi Riverfront stood tall as the city’s shield – a lifeline forged through planning, persistence, and visionary leadership. For the people of Jammu, this project is not just infrastructure; it is a promise of safety, a gift of progress, and a proud symbol of what determined governance can achieve.
(The author is BJP Spokesperson, J&K UT)
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