Details

Category: ENVIRONMENT

Published: 21 May 2015

• Also asks ERA to draw up futuristic plan for availing ADB funding for new projects, accelerate work on Srinagar, Jammu Flyovers

 

SRINAGAR: Emphasizing upon total recycling and reuse of garbage waste in an environmentally-sound manner, Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, today stressed upon J&K Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) to use state-of-the-art technologies in their ongoing solid waste management projects. He also called upon ERA to prepare plan for futuristic projects which can be taken up under Tranche III of the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded loans.

 

The Chief Minister, who is also the Chairman of J&K ERA, was speaking while taking review of ERA Projects under Multi-Sector Project for Infrastructure Rehabilitation (MSPIR) and Urban Sector Development Investment Programme (USDIP). Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh, Chief Secretary, Iqbal Khanday, Principal Secretary, Planning, B. R. Sharma, Commissioner / Secretary, H&UDD, Bipul Pathak and Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Asgar Samoon, participated in the meeting.

 

Laying emphasis on scientific disposal of waste in the two capital cities and tourist destinations, the Chief Minister called upon J&K ERA to use state-of-the art technologies in solid waste management so that J&K improves its ranks on indices of cleanliness. Chief Minister was also briefed by Principal Secretary Planning, who also holds the additional charge of CEO ERA, about the progress of work at Achan Landfill Site. He informed the Chief Minister that while work on Cell I of landfill site will be completed by August this year, the work on Cell 2 at the site will be completed next month.

 

Asking ERA to accelerate pace of work on ongoing flyover projects in the two capital cities, the Chief Minister stressed upon the need to complete the construction within the stipulated timelines. Principal Secretary Planning informed the Chief Minister that Rs.385 crore have been sanctioned for construction of Jahangir Chowk-Rambagh and Bikram Chowk-Presentation Convent School Flyovers in Srinagar and Jammu cities respectively. He added that the work is in progress and will be completed within the stipulated timeframe.

 

It was given out in the meeting that ERA has so far availed two loans from Asian Development Bank (ADB) under MPIR and USDIP. Under MPIR, an amount of Rs.1714 crore have been spent on 117 sub-projects, which include construction of 572 km of road length, 24 bridges, 34 tube wells and 432 km of water supply pipeline, which will generate additional 115 Million Gallons of water in Jammu and Srinagar cities.

 

Besides this, construction of 133 km of drainage network under USDIP will go a long way in solving the drainage problem in the two capital cities. Under USDIP, J&K has availed three tranches with loan size of Rs.1769 crore. It covers 31 subprojects, out of which four sub-projects stand completed and 27 are under execution and are likely to be completed by December next year.

 

Laying emphasis on accelerating the pace of ongoing works, Mufti Sayeed directed ERA to identify more projects as part of futuristic planning so that new projects especially related to solid waste management in cities and tourist resorts are taken up on priority.