Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 25: Minister for Revenue, Relief, Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Disaster Management, Abdul Rehman Veeri, today stressed on timely reconstruction and strengthening of critical infrastructure under Jhelum and Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP).
The high level meeting was attended by CEO JTFRP Sandeep Nayak, Commissioner Secretary Housing and Urban Development Hirdesh Kumar, Commissioner Secretary PWD Sanjeev Verma, Commissioner Secretary Industries and Commerce Shalendra Kumar, Commissioner Secretary Revenue Muhammad Ashraf Mir, Development Commissioner PWD Bimal Tikoo, SMC Commissioner Dr Shafkat Ahmed Khan and Aamir Ali, Director Disaster Management Authority.
Veeri asked the officials to gear up the needed resources and get approvals at fast pace under the World Bank funded, the $250 million Jhelum and Tawi Flood Recovery Project. He stressed on fast tracking the implementation of the project in order to achieve the objectives within the set timelines.
Besides sticking to timeline, the Minister asked the officials to assign priority to works according to their flood damage assessment so that they would be taken up according to the importance.
CEO JTFRP Sandeep Nayak apprised the Minister that a substantial headway has been made in implementation of the project works under World Bank funding.
The Minister was informed that work on two bridges, Rahmoo Trenz and Jawahar Nagar School has been started under the project. He was also informed that work on 12 projects submitted for approval will be started by September 15.
He was also informed that concept and built plan of Bone and Joint Hospital has been developed and will be tendered out in a month.
SMC Commissioner Dr Khan informed the meeting that procurement of waste water testing equipment and Quick Response Towing vehicles has been tendered out last week.
The Commissioner also said that DPR amounting to Rs 113.94 crores for upgradation of 49 dewatering stations has been submitted to World Bank and will be tendered in a week.
The meeting was also apprised that major works have been tendered in Industries and Commerce Department which includes reconstruction of building at Silk factory showroom Rajbagh, Bemina wollen mills, Craft Development Institute building and other works.