The Kashmir DialoguesUnder flood management of Jhelum project, its carrying capacity increased
Srinagar, Mar 15:- Kashmir is prone to floods and it is witnessing one notable flood one in six years on average while steps have been taken to increase the carrying capacity of Jhelum.
Replying to a MLA question of Farooq Ahmad Shah, Minister for Jal Shakti as per JKNS said that Kashmir valley is prone to flood since ages. Floods of 1902, 1959 and 2014 were the extreme floods events in the recent living memory.
“As per records, 34 notable floods have been witnessed in Jhelum basin since 1800, the recurrence is almost 1 per 6 years on average.” He said.
“Under PMDP package of 2015 announced by Hon’ble PM of India after September 2014 deluge, an amount of Rs. 2083 Cr was earmarked for Flood Management of River Jhelum and its tributaries. The DPRs were subsequently framed for implementation in two phases Phase I & Phase II for short term and long term flood measures (PMDP-I Rs 399.29 crores + PMDP-II Part-A Rs 1623.43 crore).
Phase-1 was approved for Rs.399.29 Cr. in 2015-16 by Ministry of Water Resources (MOWR) and is nearing completion. The carrying capacity of river Jhelum was enhanced from 31800 Cusecs to 41000 cusecs in Srinagar Reach.” He said.
The project is under execution and Rs. 114.293 Cr. from Central Assistance has been spent. A total of 30 bank protection works are being executed under this project out which 29 have been tendered and 16 are complete. The progress of these works is 80% in aggregate.
“The Entry and Exit Gates in Hokersar wetland have been completed at a Cost of Rs. 28.45 Cr. These gates have been pivotal for rejuvenation of the Hokersar wetland. During lean period season, the gates will be closed to maintain pondage level of 3-4 feet within the wetland area for nourishing the wetland’s ecosystem and provide habitat for migratory birds. Due to difference in reports of expert agencies, the works on Flood spill channel (FSC) and outfall channel (OFC) have not been commenced. After series of deliberations over 11 meetings, the CWC repo
M S Nazki