No responsibility fixed for dropping of Rs 406 cr worth DPR
Portuguese firm to submit morphology study shortly
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Jan 9: The work on Tawi Barrage Project, which stands abandoned during the past nearly three years, will begin only after the expert advice from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, which has been engaged by the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. However, a Portuguese firm has conveyed that it will shortly submit morphology study of river as well as Detailed Project Report for the much-needed flood protection works.
Astonishingly, no responsibility has been fixed for dropping of Rs 406 crore worth Detailed Project Report by the Central Water Commission’s Directorate in Jammu due to non-rectification of deficiencies by the Jammu Development Authority.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that few days back Irrigation and Flood Control Department, on the directions of the Government, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee for detailed assessment of works already executed on Tawi Barrage Project and to give expert advice on the completion of left-over work.
“The IIT Roorkee will point out whether all the technical specifications were strictly adhered to by M/s GVR Infra Projects Limited in the already executed components of the project and how to go ahead for the completion of left over works”, they said, adding “moreover, the IIT Roorkee will recommend measures required to be taken in advance to ensure that there is no erosion on the embankments of the river following creation of artificial lake”.
They disclosed that Government has asked the institute to ensure that whole exercise is completed within shortest possible time so that tenders for the left over works are floated without wastage of much time as project is already facing inordinate delay.
It is pertinent to mention here that the work on the project was abandoned by M/s GVR Infra Projects Ltd in the month of February 2017. As the company failed to re-start work despite several notices issued by the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, the Government finally on the recommendation of State Level Contract Committee terminated the contract.
Meanwhile, a Portuguese firm—Aqualogus, which was assigned the task of conducting morphology study of River Tawi, has conveyed to the Government that it will submit the findings as well as Detailed Project Report for flood protection works shortly.
“The Portuguese firm, which is working in joint venture with Indian company namely Oiltech Engineering Pvt Limited, has already submitted inception report, preliminary hydrology report and preliminary morphology report to the Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency (JKERA)”, sources said.
During a recent power point presentation, the joint venture company conveyed to the authorities of JKERA and Irrigation and Flood Control Department that they will submit final report along with DPR based on such findings for the flood protection works as early as possible.
“It is only on the basis of morphology study that effective measures can be taken to prevent damages due to floods in River Tawi every year”, sources further said.
However, no responsibility has been fixed for dropping of Rs 406 crore worth Detailed Project Report by the Central Water Commission’s Directorate in Jammu due to non-rectification of deficiencies by the Jammu Development Authority.
The DPR for bank protection of Tawi River was submitted by the JDA to the CWC’s Monitoring and Appraisal Directorate Jammu on April 11, 2018 but a number of deficiencies were noticed in the DPR. Accordingly, JDA was apprised of the same vide letter dated May 30, 2018 for necessary corrective measures but in view of absolute non-serious approach of the JDA authorities the DPR was deleted from the list of appraisal.
“It is a matter of serious concern that even one and half year after the dropping of the DPR the Housing and Urban Development Department has not initiated any step to fix the responsibility for such a glaring instance of non-serious approach towards a project of vital importance”, sources said.
Had the observations of the CWC been taken seriously, the project would have been cleared by now in order to provide respite to large number of villages which suffer heavy losses every year due to floods in River Tawi.
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