Dr. Raghav Langer, Chief Executive Officer, J&KERA while giving PowerPoint presentation of the ongoing JKUSDIP (Jammu and Kashmir Urban Sector Development Investment Programme ) informed that out of the total of 53 sub-projects works on 43 sub-projects which include construction of mechanized car parking facility at KMDA, Srinagar and at city chowk super bazaar, Jammu, Vikram Chowk flyover at Jammu, 1st phase of Jehangir chowk-Rambagh Flyover, New Mehjoor Bridge at Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar, 3 landfill cells at municipal Landfill site , Achan, Srinagar besides providing of equipments to PHED and SMC while as work on remaining 10 sub- projects is under execution at present.

He said that 99% physical progress has been achieved on the construction of Rawalpora-Chanapora storm water drainage sub-project with work on laying of drainage network and construction of two main pumping stations already complete. He added that 76% physical progress has been achieved on the construction of Storm Water drainage sub-project along the national highway byepass at Athwajan and 87% progress has been achieved on the laying of 18Kms raw water pipeline from upper reaches of Doodhganga at Nauhara to Kralpora and balance portion of these works had to be re-tendered due to the non-performance of the contractors and these works will be completed by May, 2019.

Giving details about the progress of work on the construction of Jehangir-Chowk -Rambagh flyover CEO, ERA informed that 84% physical progress has been achieved on the project as a whole and said that as per the revised pert chart submitted for the pending works of the flyover contractor has committed to complete the balance work on the sub-project by May, 2019. Hon’ble Advisor appreciated the support being provided by the District Administration, Srinagar to JKERA for smooth execution of work on the flyover. He also directed JKERA to ensure that the non-performing contractors be got blacklisted and appreciated the fact that JKERA under loan I and Loan 2 has been been able to create state of art key public assets with the financial assistance of Asian Development Bank.

Later Advisor K.K Sharma visited the constructions sites of Jehangir Chowk Rambagh Flyover and Grade Separator at TRC,Srinagar during which he directed the engineers and contractor to further speed up the pace of work to ensure that timelines are strictly complied with .

Meeting was also attended by Dr, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Tahir Geelani, S.S.P Traffic, Srinagar, Ashok Kumar, Chief Engineer, I&FC, , Adbul Wahid Chief Engineer, PHE,Kashmir, Sami Arif , Chief Engineer, R&B, Kashmir, Hashmat Qazi, Chief Engineer, EM&RE, Kashmir, Showkat Wani, Director, Kashmir, J&KERA, Nazir Ahmad Baba, Additional Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation and other senior officers of line departments and J&KERA,

Dr. Raghav Langer (IAS) Chief Executive Officer, J&K ERA today inspected the construction site of additional block of Lal Ded Maternity Hospital in Srinagar. The project has been taken up at an approximate cost of Rs 75 crore under the World Bank funded JTFRP (Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project) for strengthening of critical infrastructure in the state .

The Officers of JKPCC which is designated implementing agency for the project informed CEO, ERA that the proposed additional hospital block will be constructed adjacent to the existing hospital complex and the new building will be integrated with it. The Building will have ground plus 5-floors with parking space, patients waiting lounge, canteen in ground floor, new –born section in 1st floor, operation theatres and labour rooms in 2nd floor, 3rd floor as patients waiting lounge and hospital equipments while as 4th and 5th floors will have space for wards It was said that the building will be constructed using the Base Isolation Technique which is earth quake proof and has been recommended by the World Bank as the region falls under the Seismic Zone –V . The technique will be used for the first time in any of the public constructions in the state. The building block has also been categorized as GREEN BUILDING and is being designed to achieve the Performance based on International design standards

CEO, ERA also had an interaction with the hospital authorities who expressed satisfaction with the proposed design of the building and also made a request for providing of logistic requirements like complete medical equipments and furniture that will be required for making the additional hospital block functional. CEO, ERA directed the officers of JKPCC and JTFRP to hold the meeting with the J&K Medical Supplies Corporation so that the component is taken care off under the project. He also directed the JKPCC and design consultancy to complete the preparation of drawings and other technical details by first week of March, 2019 and ensure that the work on the project is started at the earliest

Several Officers of Lad Ded Hospital, JKPCC, and JTFRP also accompanied the CEO, ERA during his visit.

ERA today organized a day long workshop on Upgrading Design Guidelines and Building Codes for Multiple Disasters in J&K at Jammu Municipal Corporation Conference hall under the Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project. The workshop was attended by participants from Town Planning Organisation, Jammu Municipal Corporation, Jammu Development Authority, Urban Local Bodies, Fire and Emergency Services, PHE Department and Tourism Department.

CEO ERA, Dr. Raghav Langer while welcoming the participants briefed about the objectives of the workshop. Dr. Langer informed that the aim of the workshop is that there is need to have uniform building codes for all Municipal Corporations, Municipal Committees, Municipal Councils, Development Authorities and Tourism Development Authorities in the state of J&K. It is required from the point of view of effective Disaster resilience of the structures as the state is prone to various kinds of natural disasters. While inaugurating the workshop the Secretary (HuDD) Anil Gupta who was the Chief Guest on the occasion congratulated ERA/JTFRP for organizing the workshop on the topic and emphasized the need for organizing more such workshops for engineers of different line departments so that they are able to keep themselves aware about latest structural designs and procedures from disaster management point of view. Director Planning and Coordination, JTFRP, Iftikhar Ahmad Hakeem emphasized that there is a need to look into the building permissions/permit process of various ULB’s, Authorities and to customize it as per the state’s requirement and to simplify the same for the benefit of citizens. Some kind of building bye-laws also need to be notified to regulate the constructions in rural areas. It was also agreed to explore the possibility of empaneling and registering private Architects, Structural Engineers, Draftsmen, etc to augment the capacities of ULB’s and Development Authorities.

Workshop included the PowerPoint Presentation and interactive session conducted by Dr. Alpa Sheth and experts from TARU and VMS consultants. Workshop was also attended by Iftikhar Ahmad Kakroo, Director Technical JTFRP, Director ERA Kashmir and other stakeholders departments.

Chief Executive Officer , J&K ERA Dr. Raghav Langer, IAS said that as per the revised time schedule submitted by M/S SIL (Simplex Infrastructure Limited) had to complete the structural portion of 2nd phase of the flyover project by 31st December 2018. However the same has now got delayed till end of February – 2019 due to sub-optimal manpower, material and machinery deployed by the contractor. The Chief Executive Officer said that the strict monitoring of milestones for the mega project is being done on a continuous basis and the contractor shall be penalized under relevant sections of contract agreement for delaying the work. It may be recalled that in the month of October 2018 the contractor has already been penalized with an initial penalty of Rs. 1.25 crore by J&K ERA.

The CEO J&K ERA has also directed the project staff to impose employer’s claims under relevant clauses on the contractor for delays in the project and additional burden being put on the state exchequer on account of salaries of employees and extension of tenure of the Design & Supervision Consultants deployed on the project by Government.

Meanwhile, J&K ERA is constantly engaged with the contractor to ensure that the remaining structural works that include erection of girders, laying of deck slabs, retaining walls, etc. on 3rd phase of the flyover from Alochibagh to Jehangir chowk gets completed as per agreed timelines. It has been reiterated to the contractor to professionally execute the contract agreement or face the brunt of action in future as well.

The contractor is supposed to make the complete stretch of flyover motorable by June 2019 as per his submitted work plan.

This was stated during the site visit of Dr, Raghav Langer, Chief Executive Officer, ERA/ JTFRP to existing common facility centre at Sethar, Anantnag for seasoning of cricket bats. The facility has been badly impacted due the floods of 2014 and is presently not operational. Officers of the Industries and Commerce Dept present on the occasion informed CEO that more than 400 bat manufacturing units are presently operating in Sethar and adjoining areas of District Anantnag which employee more than 5000 people and the facility was established in 2006 for the seasoning of wood used by these units for the manufacturing of cricket bats.

CEO also visited a local bat manufacturing unit were he was shown the various stages involved in the manufacturing of the cricket bats. He also interacted with the representatives of the local bat manufacturing units who demanded that the area be designated as an industrial cluster and be provided with all the facilities to enable the cricket bat manufacturing units to flourish.CEO directed the nodal officer of JTFRP to prepare a report regarding the key actions plan agreed to between the representatives of bat manufacturing units and World Bank representatives during their meeting at New Delhi so that a comprehensive project for the establishment of Common facility centre for the cricket bat units at Sethar is taken up. Representatives of bat industry also demanded that the SRO of Govt. regulating their activity needs to be revisited and amended as per the latest requirements

CEO JTFRP also inspected the progress of work on 3.34 km Halmulla- Punchpora to Kralkut which is estimated to cost Rs 4.98 crores and also visited Girls Degree College, Anantnag and Boys Degree College Bijbehara were additional blocks are being constructed under the critical infrastructure component of JTFRP

Peerzada Hafizullah Shah , Commissioner, SMC informed CEO, ERA that under the component of urban flood management infrastructure of JTFRP(Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project) work on construction of 49 storm water pumping stations which is estimated to cost Rs 102 crores has been awarded in the Dec,2018 and work on the sub-project which primarily involves the installation of electromechanical equipments along with requisite civil works will be completed within 18 months. He further said that preparation of DPR for the construction of Nadroo drainage scheme will be completed by the next week while as for Bonpora scheme DPR is under preparation.CEO directed SMC to expedite the process of procurement of mobile waste water testing equipments for monitoring of water of pumping stations and other equipments that are to be provided to the SMC under JTFRP.He further directed SMC to prepare a design for the SCADA building in consultation with Dept. of Disaster Management Relief Rehabilitation and Reconstruction which is proposed to be housed in the Composite Central Control Room that will also include proposed SEOC (State Emergency Operations Centre) at Humhama.

Harkewal Singh , General Manager , JKPCC informed that ESIA (Environment and Social Impact Assessment) for the new proposed hospital complex at L.D Hospital which is estimated to cost Rs 74 crores is under preparation and expected to be completed by 25th , January,2019 along with other necessary tests that are required to be done prior to start of work on ground. G. M JKPCC further informed that work on construction of Higher secondary school at Jawahar Nagar and 8 bridge and 3 road sub-projects in Baramulla, Pulwama, Anantnag and Shopian Districts is also underway. CEO JTFRP directed JKPCC to strictly follow the quality parameters during execution of works and also get the tests conducted at site verified from the third party.

Giving details about the progress of the component of strengthening of critical Infrastructure the Mushtaq Ahmad Shagoo, S.E R&B, Kashmir which is PIU for the component informed that bids for the construction of 3 buildings at Govt. Degree college, Bemina, GDC Anantnag , GDC, Bijbehara are being evaluated while as the bid evaluation process for the construction of 120 bed new in-patient , operation theatre and spinal care centre at Bone and Joint Hospital, Barzulla has been completed and referred to contract committee of R&B for necessary approval.He added that tenders for the construction of 35 school buildings in Kashmir, division have also been issued out of which evaluation process for 27 has been completed while as tenders for the construction of 5 bridges have been tendered out of which 01 is ready for award while as DPRs are being prepared for the 12 road sub-projects in Kashmir.

Later on Dr. Raghav reviewed the progress of under execution ADB funded projects in Srinagar. Showkat Wani, Director Kashmir , J&KERA informed that as on date 86% physical progress has been achieved on Jehangir-chowk Rambagh flyover project.He further said that the construction of downward ramp at Alloch-Bagh is already complete whereas construction of upward ramp at Rambagh is in full swing. While as in the 3rd and final phase of the project from Jehangir-Chowk to Amar Singh College crossing focus is being given on the construction of heavy structural components like erection of pre-cast concrete girders followed by laying of concrete slabs. He added that work on Grade Separator at TRC is underway with 75% physical progress achieved on it. As regards progress of Storm water drainage projects it was said that construction of Storm water drainage system for Rawalpora-Chanapora area having a catchment area of 284.76 hectares is also nearing completion.

Preparedness for forthcoming JKIDP( Jammu and Kashmir Infrastructure Development programme) to be funded by Asian Development Bank was also discussed during the course of the meeting. Chief Engineer , PHED was informed that the projects for augmentation of water supply by 10 MGD in Greater Srinagar increasing service levels of water supply as per CPHEED norms at a tentative cost of Rs 270 crores have been provided under JKIDP . Accordingly under the sewerage sector projects for 30 MLD new STP , upgradtion of existing 04 STPs and laying of sewerage costing Rs 220 crores have also been provisioned for under the JKIDP.Further Chief Engineer UEED, J&K was directed to share the sewerage network drawing of the service areas of UEED, LAWDA and NBCC with the Hydraulic section of J&KERA CEO,ERA directed the officers of all the line departments present in the meeting to ensure completion of all projects within the agreed timelines to prevent cost overruns.
Meeting was also attended by Satinder Singh Rana, Chief Engineer, UEED/ Director Safeguards JKERA , Abdul Wahid,Chief Engineer, PHED, Kashmir, Showkat Wani Director Kashmir J&KERA, J&K, Iftikhar Ahmad Hakim ,Director Planning and Coordination, JTFRP, Khalid Ahmad Director, Technical, JTFRP, Amir Ali Director Disaster Management JTFRP, Suresh Koul, Director, Finance, J&KERA, Tasawuf Ahmad , Chief Accounts Officer , SE, R&B, Kashmir, JTFRP and other senior officers of JKERA, UEED, PHED and SMC

State of the art search and rescue equipments are being procured for strengthening of Disaster Management Operations in J&K State under World Bank funded JTFRP Project. This was informed by Dr. Raghav Langer, Chief Executive Officer, Economic Reconstruction Agency/JTFRP in a meeting chaired by V.K Singh Director General SDRF, HG, CD and Fire and Emergency Services. The meeting was also attended Aamir Ali Director Disaster Management and Tasawuf Amin Director Finance JTFRP

These rescue Equipments are being procured under Component 5 of JTFRP which includes procurement of rescue equipments for State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Fire and Emergency Services. 30 boats have already been procured for SDRF and process for procuring 28 boats has been completed. The equipments for SDRF includes Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue Equipments (CSSR) and water rescue equipments such as Electric Angle Cutter, Regulator Gas Cutter, Electric Circular Saw etc, 5 snow cutting machines, 16 rescue vehicles, 22 lighting towers and generators. The equipments for Fire and Emergency Services includes 17 multipurpose fire tenders, 9 regular fire tenders, 17 medium quick response vehicles, hydraulic spreaders, cutters, combi tools, ramps, hydraulic jacks, fire entry suits, fire proximity suits, breathing apparatus, water gel blankets, under water cameras, floating pumps and portable dewatering pumps. The equipments are being procured at an approximate cost of Rs. 40 crores. The process of procuring is at different stages of completion. CEO ERA/JTFRP apprised that to handle these high end equipments specialized training can be imparted that can be in house or external.

Dr. Langer informed that the equipments are being procured under JTFRP Project and will strengthen the capabilities of SDRF Fire & Emergency Services in conduct of rescue operations in case of any calamities like earthquakes, landslides, floods etc. Further, the team also inspected the rescue equipments available with SDRF at their Battalion Headquarters at Gandhi Nagar. Commandant SDRF Rashmi Wazir, Staff Officer with Commandant General Mohammed Shabir and other officers were also present during the inspection. The staff demonstrated the functioning and uses of various rescue equipments that includes Bamboo Raft, Multi Purpose Rope, Inflatable Rubber Boat, Fire Entry Suit, Water Mist, Diving Suit, Reciprocating and Carbide Chain Saw.

This was stated to Dr. Raghav Langer Chief Executive Officer J&KERA / JTFRP during his visit to the said handicraft clusters here today. The project has been taken up under restoration and strengthening of livelihood component of the World Bank funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project and Department of Industries and Commerce is the Project Implementation Unit for the component. CEO ERA / JTFRP was informed by officials of Handicraft Department that so far comprehensive skill assessment of the artisans skilled in the traditional crafts of Embroidery (crewel, chain-stitch) and Papier Machie has been done and artisan have been categorized according to their level of skill by the consultants who have been engaged for the purpose and now the focus is being given on the upgradation of the skills of the artisans and for which recently a workshop was organized for the artisans wherein they were imparted latest trainings on product design and color schemes to be adopted while designing a product. It will be followed by providing artisans with improved market linkages with assured supply order worth Rs 3 crores for each provide them with platforms to participate and exhibit their crafts in major exhibitions. The creation of artisan database and creation civil infrastructure in the said handicrafts clusters areas is also included in the overall project.

Later CEO ERA / JTFRP also visited Solina Silk Factory wherein Officer was shown various sections of the Filature which has been established way back in 1939. A consultancy services for preserving the heritage value of the unit its landscaping and exploring opportunities for setting up of the Haat in the premises is also being carried out under the said project.

Ghulam Qadir, General Manager, Joinery Mill , Pampore , Nodal Officers of JTFRP/ handicrafts department accompanied CEO ERA/JTFRP during the visit.

Dr. Raghav Langer , Chief Executive Officer has stressed that any further delay on part of the contracting agency will not be tolerated and shall be dealt with severely. The construction agency has been directed to strictly adhere to the timelines given for the completion of the project. CEO, ERA has directed the contractor to ensure that the 2nd phase of the mega project from Rambagh to Aloochi Bagh is completed by 31st , Dec, 2018 while as 3rd phase from Allochi –Bagh to Jehangir Chowk be completed structurally by 15th March , 2019 with black topping to be completed by 15th, May, 2019.

Dr. Raghav said that any dilly-dallying tactics on part of the contracting agency shall lead to further penalization in accordance with the contract clauses and black listing of the construction agency. He added that work on the construction of grade separator at TRC, Srinagar has also been put on the watch list and performance of the construction agency is being closely scrutinized and similar penal action would follow if the work on project is not expedited and timelines given to the contractor are not met.

During the meeting it was proposed that two pronged approach needs to be adopted for the purpose by initially setting up the Emergency Operations Centre on Cloud based platform which will later on be further strengthened by setting up of (2) physical Emergency Operations centre at Srinagar and Jammu and subsequently by setting up of EOC’s at all the district levels. However the Cloud based EOC will continue to support the physically established EOC;s and will also serve as backup in case of emergencies’. The proposed EOC will be equipped with the all the necessary equipments like Desktop computers, printers and manned by disaster management and I.T professionals. The EOC’s will operate on the basis of customized software that will have important emergency response features like organizational registry, tracing the missing persons, tracking the displaced families, shelter tracking, volunteer management etc.

CEO, ERA directed the concerned officers to obtain the list of registered hardware / software vendors from the department of I.T and also directed the Disaster Risk Assessment consultancy of JTFRP to come up with detailed costing for the project and also prepare the further road map for the project at an earliest.

The meeting was also attended by Iftikhar Hakim, Director Planning and Coordination, JTFRP, Khalid Iqbal, Director Technical, JTFRP, Aamir Ali, Director Disaster Management and other officers’ of JTFRP and ERA