JK Lt. Gov lays e-foundation for water supply schemes, irrigation schemes, projects worth Rs 117.49 crores
JAMMU Tawi, MARCH 22: With an aim of involving public participation in water conservation activities across the country, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi today launched “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain” Campaign on the occasion of ‘World Water Day’.
Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha presided over the UT level event held at Convention Centre, Jammu to mark the occasion. He called for active participation of elected representatives and people of J&K in rainwater harvesting & water conservation activities.
In order to augment water supply across the UT, the Lt Governor also e-inaugurated and laid e-foundations for various Water Supply Schemes, Irrigation Schemes and Projects worth Rs 117.49 crores.
Speaking on the occasion, he underscored the significance of Jal Shakti Abhiyan campaign for water conservation and administered a pledge for judicious use of water, saving water bodies and harvesting rain water.
He extended his heartiest gratitude towards Hon’ble Prime for launching the Campaign on the theme ‘Catch the Rain’ – Where it Falls, When it Falls, which envisages rainwater harvesting during pre and active monsoon season through the convergence of various schemes and initiatives of various departments of the Central and State Governments.
Terming Jan Bhagidari as a key component of the campaign, the Lt Governor called upon public representatives and the people of J&K to come forward, recognize their responsibilities to complement government’s efforts, and actively participate in rainwater harvesting and other water conservation activities using new techniques as well as traditional methods to revive water bodies.
There is a need to implement interventions for water conservation like mapping of water resources, preparing water conservation plans through Gram Sabhas, cleaning traditional water bodies, removing encroachments and obstructions in water channels to achieve the desired results on the ground, he added.
While making special mention of the extraordinary work done in J&K including rainwater harvesting through 850 water harvesting tanks in Kulgam, Jeevika project in Udhampur and water harvesting by SMVDSB, the Lt Governor called for exploring possibilities for expansion of similar progressive works in other districts as well.
He also suggested for organizing competitions on Rainwater Harvesting to acknowledge the efforts put in at Panchayat and Block level for promoting rainwater harvesting.
He asked for establishing Rain centres for technological guidance on rain water harvesting and Jal Samitis in every Panchayat to support rain water harvesting initiatives.
Laying special emphasis on preserving water bodies, the Lt Governor suggested for developing Mobile Application for monitoring of water bodies health and seeking feedback from the public so that administration and people can work together to save and revive the water bodies and wet lands, rejuvenation of small rivers, and conservation of water resources, with maximum involvement of youth.
Under Jal Jeevan Mission, we are targeting to provide piped water supply (Har Ghar Nal se Jal) to every household. Central Ground Water Board has put all the districts of J&K in safe category. However, we need to work on mission mode to increase ground water level, said the Lt Governor.
The Lt Governor asked the concerned departments to maintain close synergy and undertake timely initiatives for effective execution of water conservation activities.
M Raju, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Jal Shakti Department gave welcome address and briefed about the achievements of Jal Shakti Department .
Chairman DDC Jammu, Bharat Bhushan and Deputy Mayor JMC, Purnima Sharma also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the importance of conservation of our water bodies and harvesting rain water. DDC Members, BDC Chairpersons, Sarpanchs , Panchs were also present on the occasion.
Artists raised awareness about importance of Water and Jal Jeevan Mission through Cultural performances. Short play on water conservation was also performed by the by artists from Academy of Arts.
BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Administrative Secretaries ; Raghav Langer, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; Anshul Garg, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu were present. District Headquarters were also connected through virtual mode during the event.
The projects costing Rs 48.54 crores e-inaugurated by the Lt Governor today include- Construction of Upper Chicka Siddimong Khul, Rajouri; Water Supply Schemes at Heavan Colony, Bandipora and Gordi Jagir, Udhampur; Filtration Plant at Takia Nagam for WSS Mir Mohalla, Bonpora, Budgam ; augmentation of Basantpur Pumping Station, Kathua; Water Supply Scheme Gakhran Gunthal, Poonch and Construction of – Kenzi Khul, Budgam; Kuligam Khul District Kupwara; Khurhama Khul, Kupwara; Jinder Khul, Bandipora
The projects worth Rs 68.95 cr for which the Lt Governor laid e-foundation includes- Modernization of Grimtoo Canal, Kulgam; Flood Protection Works to Shalpathri Devibal Temple at Khanpora Baramulla; augmentation of Water Supply Scheme Samotha, Samba; Retro fitting of Water Supply Scheme Sargal, Samba; Water Supply Schemes at Barakh and Sool Patwar, Reasi; Construction of Filtration Plant under WSS Alusteng, Srinagar; providing and laying of 800 mm/700 mm DI supply main from Soura to Saidpora Srinagar; besides construction of Flood Protection works on both banks of Neeru Nallah at Bhaderwah, Doda and by way of plugging creek of Naj and Bhini river, Part-II, Kathua.
