SRINAGAR: Commissioner Secretary Public Works (R&B) PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control (I&FC) Rohit Kansal Tuesday stressed on time-bound completion of dredging works of river Jhelum and the Flood spill channel. He took stock of the progress of dredging work of river Jhelum and inspected various dredging spots during his visit to Noorbagh, Qamarwari, Bemina, Mehjoor Nagar and other places.
The Commissioner Secretary was accompanied by Chief Engineers of I&FC and R&B and other concerned officers. He said work is going on at war-footing to increase the carrying capacity of river Jhelum and spill over channel of the river to prevent floods in future. He said the government’s first priority is to restore the width of the river and flood channel and currently dredging is going on at 70 spots across the length and breadth of the river in the valley.
Giving details about the process of dredging the Commissioner Secretary said around 5.86 lakh cubic metres have been excavated against the target of 8 lakh cubic metres. He said the project envisages dredging of 7 lakh cubic metres in Srinagar stretch of Jhelum to be completed in 12 months. He said that Rs 399 crores will be spend for two years on the restoration of Jhelum with Rs 140 crore set aside for land and structure acquisition, Rs 40 crores for building two bridges, Rs 35 crore for dredging and the rest for allied works.
Dredging has been completed to the extent of 25,720 cum against target of 38,100 cum envisaged to be done in the Flood spill channel from Padshahibagh to Wullar, he added.