Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 27: Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Taj Mohi-ud-Din alongwith Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Ali Mohammad Sagar today inaugurated the augmentation of water supply from Rangil plant to fort area at Pokhribal water treatment plant which has come at a cost of Rs. 42 crore.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Mr. Taj said that Government during the last three years has done enough to conserve and protect the water resources of the State. He said J&K was the first State in the country to enact laws regulating usage and ownership of water resources. He said many other states followed this model.
The Minister said with the collection of water usage charges, the State would be getting an annual revenue of Rs. 1000 crore which would be used to buy back power projects which would give the economy of the State a greater push. He said work on Wullar conservation would be completed within a year which would stabilise water level in Jhelum ensuring more power generation during winter months.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sagar said the present Government has taken many path breaking steps like empowerment of panchayats, steps leading to transparent governance and improvement of road, health, education and social infrastructure in the State. He said peace is imperative for development, adding that due to peace the State is witnessing a good tourist season this year.
In his address, MLA, Hazratbal, Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal demanded immediate completion of many PHE and irrigation schemes under execution in his constituency. He hoped that many big achievements would be registered in the coming years by the present Coalition Government.
The Rs. 42 crore augmentation of water supply from Rangil plant to fort area including Badamwari, Makhdoom Sahib and other adjoining areas would benefit more than 70,000 souls in the downtown city. The supply received through the new system would be 80,000 gallons per hour as against 20,000 gallons per hour.
Later, Mr. Taj inaugurated Water Supply Scheme, Mehjoor Nagar at Padshahibagh built at a cost of Rs. 9.88 crore. The scheme is expected to benefit around 40,000 souls of the Mehjoor Nagar, Railway Colony, Jawahar Nagar, Kursoo etc
Addressing the gathering, the Minister asked people to take benefit of various welfare schemes and development initiatives of the Government.
In his address, Minister of State for Home, Tourism & PHE, Nasir Aslam Wani said the present Government has embarked upon a path of development in the State.
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