Sadhotra calls for perspective flood mitigation plan in Jammu region

JAMMU: National Conference Additional General Secretary and former minister, Mr. Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, today called for a well-conceived perspective plan on flood mitigation, keeping in view this year’s unprecedented experience of heavy rains, flash floods, and resultant damages in Jammu and Kashmir in general and the Jammu region in particular. 

“The recent situation has once again underlined the urgent need for long-term measures to safeguard lives, property, and livelihood of people living in vulnerable areas”, said Mr. Sadhotra, during his visit to Katal Batal in Nagrota Assembly constituency.

He expressed serious concern over the massive damage caused to the Jhulla bridge due to recent rains that has severely impacted pedestrian movement in the adjoining areas and creating immense hardship for local residents. He said the damage has also adversely affected the movement of devotees to the historic Pedh Devta shrine, which is thronged by over ten lakh devotees annually from different parts of the region.

“The disruption of access to such a revered place is not just an infrastructural issue but also a matter of cultural heritage,” Mr. Sadhotra said, hoping that timely repairs and strengthening of the bridge on priority.

During the visit, Mr. Sadhotra also interacted with locals and listened to their grievances. They highlighted the urgent need for construction of a protection bund to prevent adjoining areas from getting inundated during the monsoon season. He said that absence of protective embankments has left villages exposed to recurring floods, which damage standing crops, residential houses, and local infrastructure, thereby pushing people to the edge of despair every year.

The National Conference Addl General Secretary emphasized the pressing requirement for comprehensive perspective planning that takes into account modern scientific inputs, climate change impact, and the need for robust infrastructure capable of withstanding extreme weather events. This has been neglected by the so- called double engine government for over a decade. He said that  with the popular government in place,  the administration will hopefully rope in experts, engineers, and planners to prepare a time-bound action plan and ensure its implementation in a mission mode.

Mr. Sadhotra lauded the proactive role of the Omar Abdullah-led government in the recent weeks, which, he said, had always prioritized the welfare of the people and reached out in times of crisis with compassion and determination. He recalled how the Omar government took quick, decisive, and people-centric measures to meet natural challenges, offering succor to the affected and restoring normalcy at the earliest. He said that spirit of responsiveness and accountability has been guiding philosophy of the current dispensation that has been actively engaged in mitigating the sufferings of the people.

National Conference leader appreciated the efforts of Jammu District administration for distributed relief to the people whose houses have been damaged. The people of Katal Batal also demanded that till bridges constructed BOAT be provided so that people going to Pedh Devta could go for Darshan and Blessings. He also talk to Chief Engineer R&B Jammu for early preparation of detailed project report for construction of Bridge connecting Katal Batal with Pedh Devta.

He assured the people of Nagrota and other flood-prone areas of the continued support and commitment of National Confidence in raising their concerns at every appropriate forum.

Those accompanying Mr Sadhotra during his visit included, among others Chander Mohan Sharma District President Jammu Urban, Raghbir Singh Manhas District President Jammu Rural A, S. Gurnam Singh, Ashwani Charak Block Presidents, Rakesh Sharma District President YNC Jammu Rural A, Mangat Ram, Ashok Kumar, Suraj Singh, Madan Lal Sharma, Balwant Singh and Sanjay Kumar.