JK to restore Jehlum river to its pristine glory

Srinagar, Sept 26: The Jammu and Kashmir government would engage a world reputed consultancy to restore the pristine glory of the Jelum river passing through all the five districts of the valley before entering into Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK).

An amount of Rs 25 crore is being spent on the beautification of Jehlum river banks under Special Jehlum beautification project launched by the Ex-Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed last year.

Minister for Public Health and Engineering, Irrigation and Flood Control and Horticulture, Mohammad Dillawar Mir today said that a world reputed consultancy would be engaged to restore the pristine glory of the Jehlum river with focus on fortifying its embankments to prevent flood threats to the Srinagar city.

The project would be dovetailed with ongoing beautification project of the Jehlum river.

Interacting with the Senior Officers of the divisional administration and engineers during his visit of the Jehlum river from Soiteng to Amirakadal on navigation boats here this morning, the Minister said embankments of the Jehlum river would be beautified to provide open spaces which can be landscaped and converted into parks.

The Minister held a detailed discussion with the officers and concerned Engineers about the need and method of fortifying the banks of the river to check any possibility of breaches to avert damages due to floods.

He instructed the Divisional Administration and concerned Engineers to ensure that all encroachments are removed from the banks of Jehlum.

Mr Mir also instructed the heritage zone of Srinagar, which is mainly on the banks of Jehlum, should be conserved and upgraded and the glory and relevance of the river should be revived to its citizens.

He said historic ghats on the river should also be conserved and improved as they constitute an essential part of Srinagar city's social life.

While inspecting embankments of the Jehlum river at Gandabal Zari curve, Palapor and Padshahi Bagh, the Minister expressed his dismay over the unhygienic conditions due to dumping of garbage and cow dung.

He instructed the Municipality Officers to launch a vigorous cleanliness drive on these ugly spots. He also called for immediate measures to undertake desilting of the flood spill channel at Padshahi Bagh adding that it was primarily necessary to save Srinagar city from the flood threat in future.

He was informed that all illegal constructions and encroachments from the embankments of Jehlum river from Sonawar to Shri Pratap Singh Museum near Lal Mandi have been removed and about Rs.10 crore have been incurred on beautification of the banks of the river in this portion.

The affected people are being provided residential plots, land compensation and Rs.45,000 per family for reconstruction of shelters.

UNI