SRINAGAR: The Institution of Engineers (India), Jammu and Kashmir State Centre (IEI-JKSC), on Saturday held a panel discussion on strengthening Srinagar’s urban drainage infrastructure, with experts calling for integrated planning, climate-resilient infrastructure and improved institutional coordination to tackle flooding and waterlogging.
The organisers said the recommendations emerging from the deliberations would be compiled into a policy document and forwarded to the Jammu and Kashmir Government and the concerned departments for consideration in future planning and policy formulation.
Opening the programme, Er. Irfan Ahmad Reshi, Honorary Secretary of IEI-JKSC, highlighted the need for coordinated technical interventions to address urban flooding, waterlogging and drainage management. Er. Ferdous Ahad Bhat, Chairman of IEI-JKSC, stressed the importance of sustainable urban planning, resilient infrastructure and scientific decision-making to improve the city’s drainage system.
The panel discussed the existing drainage infrastructure in Srinagar, integrated urban planning, climate resilience, sustainable drainage systems, nature-based solutions, smart technologies for drainage monitoring, operation and maintenance of drainage assets, institutional coordination and policy measures for long-term urban water management.
Among those who participated were Er. Syed Raza Shah Madni, former Administrative Secretary; Er. Farooq Ahmad Wani, former Chief Engineer (Mechanical); Er. Rashid Ahmad Dar, former Chief Engineer (Mechanical); Er. G.M. Dar, former Chief Engineer (Civil); Er. Basharat Jeelani Kawoosa, former Chief Engineer (Civil); Er. Sami Ullah Beigh, Chief Engineer (Civil); Er. Iftikhar Ahmad Hakim, former Chief Town Planner; Er. Shakeel Ur Rehman, Superintending Engineer (Hydraulic); Er. Sajad Kawoosa and Er. Ahsan Ul Haq, former Superintending Engineers (Drainage); Er. Anbreena Anjum, Superintending Engineer (Civil); Er. Iftikhar Ahmad Drabu, Senior Expert; and Er. Sajad Ahmad Wani, former Executive Engineer (Civil).
The organisers said the event served as a platform to exchange technical expertise and formulate recommendations aimed at developing a more efficient, resilient and sustainable drainage network for Srinagar.
