Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Oct 28 : The Jammu and Kashmir government has said that a series of flood-protection and anti-erosion measures are underway across the valley, particularly along the River Jhelum and its tributaries, with projects worth more than rupees 160 crore presently under execution under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP-II).
The information came in a written reply to Starred Assembly Question, Sheikh Ahsan Ahmed (MLA), who sought details of the government’s plan to safeguard flood-prone areas such as Batwara, Shivpora, Rajbagh, Basant Bagh, Sonwar, Kursoo Rajbagh and adjoining localities along the Jhelum.
In its response, the Jal Shakti Department, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that the areas, including Lasjan, Ganderbal, Soitang, Wanihama, Padshahi Bagh, Kursoo Rajbagh, Shivpora, Sonwar, Batwara, Rajbagh and nearby belts are vulnerable to inundation during high discharge because of their low-lying topography.
The reply said several protective works have been executed through the Irrigation & Flood Control (I&FC) Department in coordination with district administrations.
The works costing rupees 12.30 crore have been executed along the left and right banks of River Jhelum, covering: Lasjan, Padshahi Bagh, Shivpora, Kursoo, Sonwar, Basant Bagh, Nishat and Pampore; Besides major vulnerable points such as Rajbagh, Batwara and Ganderbal.
These include construction of RCC toe-walls, crate-protection bunds, embankment strengthening and flood-protection bunds. The reply states, another Rs 2.49 crore has been allotted for similar works along tributaries of Jhelum, including Kanikadal, Rambagh, Batmaloo, Panthachowk and Rajbagh.
The department said embankment and anti-erosion works have been carried out at Lasjan Bridge–Noorbagh, Panthachowk–Barzulla and Pampore–Kakapora reaches.
The reply further outlines the Comprehensive Flood-Management Measures for Kashmir Valley (Post-2014 Floods) executed under the PMDP scheme.
Under Phase-I, flood-protection works worth rupees 399.29 crore have been completed, including: Top-protection and retaining walls from Kandizal to Sharifabad (543 m). Dredging of Jhelum at Sopore, Baramulla and Srinagar (100,000 cum). Strengthening embankments at Sharifabad and other nallahs. Re-sectioning of flood-spill channel at Sharifabad (147,177 cum), and construction of bridges and protective structures on the spill channel.
For Phase-II (Part A), the Detailed Project Report (DPR) stands at rupees 343.01 crore, with rupees 160.23 crore worth of works already tendered or allotted. Key components include: Bank-protection works on River Jhelum (Panzinara to Wullar Lake) — rupees 216.65 crore. Restoration of embankments & critical spots — rupees 25.61 crore. Strengthening & restoration of the Flood-Spill Channel (Nallah Amir Khan to Nallah Padshahi Bagh) — rupees 87.16 crore.
The department added that rupees 6.82 crore have already been spent on advance works in the Hokersar Wetland area.
The Jal Shakti Department, in its reply, said the valley’s flood-management strategy combines structural interventions — embankment-strengthening, crate-protection and toe-wall construction — with non-structural initiatives such as flood-early-warning systems and flood-plain zoning.
“All flood-management projects are being monitored by the Chief Engineer, I&FC Kashmir, and executed in consultation with district administrations,” the reply stated—(KNO)
