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Category: ENVIRONMENT

Published: 17 November 2016

• Infrastructure projects worth Rs 220 cr taken up for execution in Phase-I: Basharat Bukhari

JAMMU: The Government has kick-started the ambitious $250 million World Bank-funded flood reconstruction programme in the State with several projects being taken up for execution in the first phase. “Out of the total loan amount of Rs 1600 crore, projects worth Rs 220 crore have been taken up for execution in the first phase under the Flood Recovery and Reconstruction Programme funded by the World Bank,” Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Syed Basharat Bukhari said here today.

The project was formally launched by the Chief Minister, Ms Mehbooba Mufti earlier this week in Srinagar. Giving details, the Minister said that some of the key projects taken up in the first phase of the WB-funded programme “Reconstruction of Flood-affected Public Infrastructure” include construction of bridge over Romshi Nallah in district Pulwama costing Rs 15.32 crore. He said the bridge is a vital link between Pulwama-Rohmu-Pakherpora and Chrar-e-Sharief and would provide connectivity to a large area in the twin districts of Pulwama and Budgam.

Similarly, he said, some other projects included in the Phase-I of the reconstruction programme include construction of bridge costing Rs 11.25 crore on Anantnag Bypass Road going upto Donipawa, construction of bridge over Nallah Talri near Bhagatpora in Handwara costing Rs 5 crore, upgradation of Ambarpora-Haritar-Sopore road costing Rs 16 crore, construction of bridge over Nallah Rambiara near Trenz, Shopian costing Rs 26 crore, construction of bridge near Loran-Halda in district Poonch costing Rs 7.35 crore, construction of bridge over River Tawi near Dosala in district Udhampur costing Rs 4.25 crore, upgradation of Malangpora-Chakoora-Chudhribagh-Litter and Niana-Chakoora-Tahab roads costing Rs 9 crore and construction of Extension Block at LD Hospital Srinagar costing Rs 41.71 crore.

The Minister said that the flood reconstruction project launched in the wake of massive devastation caused by the September 2014 floods in the State is being funded by credit from World Bank's concessionary - International Development Association (IDA) and the loan facility has a maturity of 25 years, including a five-year grace period. He said it will also strengthen the capacity of state government to respond and better manage natural disasters in future.

Giving component-wise breakup, the Minister said that the $250 million project would comprise $60 million for reconstruction and strengthening of critical flood-hit infrastructure, $80 million for reconstruction of roads and bridges, $50 million for restoration of urban flood management infrastructure, $15 million for strengthening and restoration of livelihoods, $25 million for strengthening disaster risk management capacity, $20 million for contingent Emergency Response and implementation support.

He said the loan assistance from the World Bank would be shared by Centre and the State Government on 90:10 basis and it would be operative for five years ending June 2020. The loan assistance would not only comprise fund flow from the world body but also expertise to handle such projects and the necessary technological advancements as well, he said.