Sham Choudhary reviews progress on Jhelum Flood Spill Channel

SRINAGAR, MAY 18 - Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sham Lal Choudhary today inspected the ongoing work on Flood Spill Channel in Srinagar and reviewed the progress Flood Protection works.

He was accompanied by Secretary PHE and I&FC Saurabh Bhagat, Deputy Commissioner Budgam Mir Altaf, Chief Engineer I&FC M. H. Lone, Superintending Engineer I&FC, Executive Engineers and other concerned senior officers.

Sham Choudhary was informed that under Flood Management Project Phase –I, about 25000 trees have been axed along the banks of the Flood Spill Channel from Padshai Bagh to Wullar Lake and 1050 Kanals of encroached land have been retrieved so far.

During the inspection, minister was also briefed about the status of other ongoing works including land acquisition process, re-sectioning, creation of earthen bunds, construction of protection walls and related works for the restoration of the Flood spill channel to its original shape.

Sham Choudhary said the work on Flood Spill Channel is being executed at an estimated cost of Rs 399.29 crore under Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan which passes through districts of Srinagar, Budgam and Bandipora involving 1759 kanals of land.

While interacting with the field staff, Minister directed the concerned officers to excavate a temporary parallel drainage to drain out the rain water so that the excavation work isn’t affected.

Minister was informed that around 1700 Kanals of land needed to be acquired for the flood protection works out of which around 1000 kanals have been acquired so far. He was informed that Process for the remaining land is under process and Rs 84 crores have been released as land compensation to all concerned DCs.

Stating that Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is personally monitoring the flood related works, Minister directed the officials to work on war footing basis so as to protect the city from yet another catastrophe in future. He asked the concerned officers to put in more men and machinery so that the works can be completed by the end of this year.

Choudhary said Flood Spill Channel shall provide a lifeline to Srinagar city by increasing the capacity of Jhelum thus providing alternate route to the flood water.

He thanked the local population for cooperation they have provided for smooth execution of works and assured them that due compensation would be provided to them against land or structure acquired by the government for the project.