PMDP Implementation: Union Home Secretary compliments JK Govt

Rs 62236 cr sanctioned out of Rs 80068 cr package

Reviews progress of key infrastructure projects; Assures expeditious release of funds,

 sorting out of technical issues in Union Ministries

SRINAGAR, JULY 31: Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi today complimented the Jammu and Kashmir government for making reasonable progress, amid challenging situation, on the key developmental projects taken up in the state under Prime Minister's Developmental Package (PMDP).

The Union Home Secretary was speaking at a high-level meeting convened here this morning to review the progress on implementation of PMDP-2015 projects in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Union Home Secretary said there are minor technical issues involved in some projects which will be taken up at the appropriate levels with the concerned Ministries in the Government of India to expedite the same.

The central team which arrived here yesterday also included Rajeev Gauba, OSD Union Home Ministry who will be soon taking over as new Union Home Secretary, K P Krishnan, Secretary Union Ministry of Skill Development, I Srinivas, Secretary Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Gyanesh Kumar, Joint Secretary (JK) MHA and other senior officers from Ministries of Home Affairs, Health and Family Welfare, Human Resource Development, Youth Affairs and Sports, Agriculture and Family Welfare, Tourism, Urban Development, Defense, Textiles, Road Transport & Highways, Finance, Power, Rural Development, Water Resources, New and Renewable Energy, Skill Development and NITI Aayog.

The state official delegation comprising the Administrative Secretaries of all the departments was led by Chief Secretary B B Vyas at the deliberations. Director General Police Dr S P Vaid and Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir divisions were also present at the meeting.

Pertinently, under PMDP, 63 projects are being implemented through various Central Ministries and State Government Departments in the state. So far Rs 62236 crore have been sanctioned out of Rs 80068 crore development package which was announced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a public meeting in Srinagar on 7 November 2015.

Extensive deliberations were held at today's meeting to review the progress of projects under PMDP launched to augment infrastructure in J&K including road connectivity, power supply, healthcare, education, tourism, besides, to supplement the relief and rehabilitation efforts for flood victims.

The State Chief Secretary apprised the Union Home Secretary about the financial and physical progress made under each sector.

The meeting was informed that around Rs 40000 crore out of the Rs 80,000-crore package have been earmarked for improving road infrastructure, including semi-ring roads in Jammu and Srinagar and upgradation of important highways besides others.

The connectivity projects taken up under PMDP include roads under Bharat Mala with a total length of about 105 Kms covered under tourist connectivity at  a cost of Rs 2700 crore, Zojilla Tunnel Rs 9090 crore, upgradation of Kargil-Zanaskar road Rs 4200 crore, Srinagar-Shopian-Qazigund highway Rs 1800 crore, upgradation of Jammu-Akhnoor-Poonch highway Rs 5100 crore, Chenani-Sudhmahadev-Goha  road Rs 2100 crore, construction of tunnels at Lachulunga pass and Tanglang pass Rs 5000 crore, construction of semi Ring Road in Jammu Rs 1400 crore, construction of Semi Ring Road in Srinagar Rs 1860 crore, construction of double lane road Batote-Kishtwar-Sinthan Pass-Anantnag Rs 130 crore, Udhampur-Ramban road Rs 2137, Ramban-Banihal road Rs 2169 and 4-laning of Srinagar-Banihal section of highway including tunnel Rs 2121 crore.

It also includes upgradation of Srinagar–Uri–Kaman Post Road and double laning of Srinagar-Leh road at a cost of Rs 233 crore and upgradation of Nimu-Padam-Darcha road at a cost of Rs 1707 crore.

In addition, Rs 11708 crore is for power, new and renewable energy. This includes augmentation of power infrastructure and distribution systems, solar power, and small hydro projects.

In the power distribution sector, Rs 3790 crore have been earmarked for augmentation of infrastructure for distribution systems including capital cities and tourist destinations. It excludes normal entitlement of J&K under DDUGJY and IPDS, Rs 105 crore have been earmarked for advance technology interventions including smart grids and smart meters, Rs 4153 crore have been earmarked for Pakal Dul hydropower project while Rs 1115 have been earmarked for Srinagar-Leh 200 KV Transmission Line.

An amount of Rs 7854 crore has been earmarked for flood relief, reconstruction and flood management. This includes Rs 1458 crore for comprehensive flood management of River Jhelum and its tributaries.

Rs 1350 crore have been earmarked as matching grant for $250 million World Bank-funded Jhelum-Tawi flood reconstruction project.  

A total of Rs 2241 crore is meant for promoting tourism by developing new projects and tourist circuits and setting up of 50 tourist villages and conservation of Wullar Lake.

An amount of Rs 4900 crore has been earmarked for improving healthcare facilities in the state which includes the creation of two AIIMS in and support for the creation of infrastructure in hospitals and primary health centres.

It also includes Rs 1600 crore for development of urban infrastructure, Rs 529 crore for development of horticulture in the State, Rs 273 crore for rehabilitation and conservation of Dal and Nageen lakes, Rs 1000 crore for establishment of IIM campus at Jammu with out-campus at Srinagar, Rs 1000 crore for IIT Jammu, Rs 100 crore for modernization of NIT Srinagar, Rs 50 crore for construction of girls hostels, Rs 500 crore for high-end security system, Rs 1000 crore for one-time compensation to 36384 families from PoK and Chhamb, Rs 300 crore for 5 new IRP Battalions, Rs 450 crore for enhancement of remuneration of SPOs from Rs 3000 to Rs 6000 PM,   Rs 250 crore for stepping up efforts under HIMAYAT scheme to train 1 lakh JK youth through placement-linked schemes, Rs 50 crore for Pashmina promotion and Rs 200 crore for development of sports infrastructure.

The Union Home Secretary directed for further expediting the pace of work and assured that the central government would extend all possible support for effective and efficient implementation of PMDP.

Later, the Union Home Secretary also reviewed the security situation in the State with the top brass of Jammu and Kashmir Police, civil administration, army, paramilitary forces and other security agencies.

Chief Secretary, B B Vyas, Principal Secretary Home, R K Goyal, Director General Police Dr S P Vaid besides senior officers from security agencies and paramilitary forces attended the meeting.