SRINAGAR: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg on Wednesday directed concerned departments to expedite preparatory works and resolve pending infrastructure-related issues to prevent further delays in the implementation of the Jhelum Water Transport Project.
Chairing a high-level review meeting, Garg assessed the progress of measures required to facilitate water transport along the River Jhelum and called for coordinated action by all stakeholder departments to address the bottlenecks affecting the project.
The discussions covered several pending issues, including road widening and tree removal at Gund Parang, disposal of treated wastewater, and provision of electricity and water connections at eight identified locations earmarked for developing essential water transport infrastructure.
The Divisional Commissioner also reviewed the shifting of electrical utilities at Maharaj Gunj and Pantha Chowk, stressing the need to complete the process without further delay.
Other matters taken up included improving approach roads at Sumbal and Sangam, removing barricades at Amira Kadal and relocating houseboats wherever necessary to ensure the uninterrupted movement of water transport facilities.
The meeting also examined the proposed renovation of the Chattabal Navigational Lock and the relocation of stone-chiselling units and dress vendors operating at Pantha Chowk, whose activities could affect the execution of project works.
Garg instructed the concerned departments to address all outstanding issues on priority and accelerate the pace of preparatory work. He emphasised that effective coordination and timely intervention were essential to removing the identified obstacles.
He further pointed out that the Government of India was closely monitoring the project and urged officials to demonstrate urgency in completing the required works, particularly the shifting of utilities and other pending infrastructure arrangements.
The meeting was attended by the Commissioner of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Deputy Commissioners of Srinagar and Bandipora, Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Kashmir, representatives of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), and officers of the Public Health Engineering (PHE), Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC), Urban Environmental Engineering Department (UEED) and other concerned departments.
