NewsID: 176 Author Mohammad Azhar ,PRO Dated 12 November 2022
Subject World Bank team in valley
Team visits several Higher education buildings,Chamgund,Wayil bridges. Willow-Wicker Artisan Cluster, Ganderbal
5-member technical team of World Bank led by Shri Deepak Singh, Sr. Disaster Risk Management specialist and comprising of Ms. Neha Vyas, Sr. Environmental Specialist, Ms. Harjot Kaur, Sr, Social Safeguard, Specialist, Peeyush Sekhsaria, Disaster Risk Management Specialist and Mr Manzoor Khan, Operations Specialist visited valley from 9th to 11th November to review the progress on World Bank funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project being executed by J&K Economic Reconstruction Agency.
Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, (IAS) Chief Executive Officer, JKERA had a detailed meeting with the team regarding the progress of the World Bank funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project. Dr. Abid said that project during the last 2 years has shown a remarkable progress with more than 144 sub-projects completed out of the total of 213 sub-projects under different components of JTFRP. He added that Construction & Installation of (30) Manifold Oxygen Plants in various remote areas of J&K as well as procurement of various specialized critical health care equipments and ALS (All Life Support) Ambulances for the hospitals across the J&K at an approximate cost of Rs 290 Cr has proved to be crucial in strengthening of Health care system in the UT. Similarly he said the introduction of BaLA design in the construction of school buildings, use of innovative road construction techniques like Rigid Concrete Pavement, use of Arched, designs in the construction of bridges etc. are some of the highlights of the Project.
The World Bank team expressed the hope that innovative features introduced under the project - BaLA (Building as a Learning Aid) design in the construction of school buildings, development of campus management for the higher education buildings, Green building concept will be mainstreamed.
During the 3-day visit the team visited the various works being executed by J&KERA under World Bank funded JTFRP across the valley which included the construction of Rs 7.19 Cr Science block at Amar Singh Degree College, Srinagar and Rs 13.34 Cr. Additional block at Women’s Degree College, MA road Srinagar. Team was informed that work on the construction of 4-storeyed Additional Block at Govt. Womens Degree College, M.A road having a plinth area of 560 sqmtrs has been completed. The construction of additional block in the college would enable the enrolment of additional female students in the college which is now part of the cluster university.
During visit to Amar Singh Degree College, Srinagar it was informed that the new 5-storeyed building having a plinth area of 650 sqmtrs. includes space for Chemistry laboratories, Botany and Zoology museums and labs and has provided the State of Art, infrastructural facilities for science education in one of the reputed colleges in Srinagar which is now a part of Cluster university.
During visit to the Anantnag District , World Bank team visited Rs 2.28 Cr. additional block at Womens Degree College, Anantnag as also Rs 9.21 Cr. additional block at Beijbehara, both constructed under the World Bank funded, JTFRP. Work on construction of Additional block at Women,s Degree College, Anantnag has been completed while as work on the construction of Additional block at GDC, Bijbehara is in final stages and would be completed by Dec,2022 it was said
In District Kulgam the team visited the 400 mtrs Chambgund bridge which is being constructed under the World Bank funded JTFRP at a cost of Rs 32.24 Cr. The 400 metre 2-lane steel trussed Girder bridge over the Vishaw nallah in Kulgam is one of the longest bridges to be constructed in the District and is crucial to providing all weather connectivity to several villages of Block Devsar with the District headquarters.
Team also visited the Govt.Primary school, Naikpora, Kulgam which is one of many BaLA designed school buildings constructed under the World Bank funded JTFRP across the J&K. Team had an interaction with children, teachers and local people. The local community expressed its gratitude to the World Bank for funding the construction of BaLA designed school building in the remote village of Kulgam.
During visit to Ganderbal, District the World Bank team visited Wayil, bridge the 1st , Arch designed steel truss bridge being constructed in Kashmir valley. The Aesthetically designed Arch type 110 mtr bridge over Sindh, Nallah in District Ganderbal taken up under the World Bank funded JTFRP at a cost of Rs 23.79 Cr. would be vital to providing the hassle free movement of vehicles on the Srinagar –Leh road .
The Visiting World bank team also visited the Willow- Wicker Artisan Cluster at Shalbug, Ganderbal, which has been developed under the Strengthening of Livelihood component of the World Bank funded, JTFRP. The Artisans associated with the Willow –wicker cluster explained the team about the different stages involved in the manufacturing of the willow products like, raw materials, seasoning, finishing etc. The Artisans expressed thankfulness to World Bank team for having taken up the development of Willow-Wicker cluster which was otherwise going through a lean patch. The Artisans said that development of the Willow Wicker Cluster has reinvigorated the sector and has provided the immense economic opportunities for local youth as they have been provided with trainings in product development, use of assorted raw materials, providing of market access, managerial skills under the World Bank funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project.
Economic Reconstruction Agency 