JAMMU: The Tawi River Front Development Project (Phase I) is progressing towards completion, with 96 per cent of the work finished on the left bank and 94 per cent on the right bank, according to details tabled in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly in response to a question raised by MLA Arvind Gupta, MLA. The project, being undertaken by the Housing and Urban Development Department, is expected to be completed by April 2025 at an allotted cost of Rs 143 crore. The left bank, tendered in November 2021 and allotted in January 2022, is estimated at Rs 74.88 crore, with Rs 55.36 crore spent so far. The right bank, tendered in November 2021 and allotted in January 2022, has an estimated cost of Rs 81.50 crore, with Rs 66.75 crore spent till date.
The Jal Shakti Department has also reported that 85 per cent of the work on the Tawi Barrage and Artificial Lake has been completed. The tender for this project was issued in May 2022, and the contract was allotted in September 2022. The pondage is expected to be completed by April 2025, while the remaining works are scheduled for completion by June 2025. The estimated cost stands at Rs 64.80 crore, with Rs 36.15 crore already spent.
To address contamination concerns, the government has prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) worth Rs 34.06 crore for ten key drainage diversion and deep drain works. These include measures such as constructing diversion outfalls for nallahs and drains at multiple locations along the Ranbir Canal, as well as deep drains in areas including Barnai, Patoli Brahmana, and Muthi. The aim is to prevent direct drainage discharge into the canal, ensuring its protection from pollution.
