Hon鍛le Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti inaugurated Bikram Chowk to Women College Gandhi Nagar Flyover at Jammu. 1.3 km long flyover starting from Bikram Chowk to Green Belt Gandhi Nagar executed under Asian Development Bank funded project, JKUSDIP. The cost of the project is INR 77 crores. It will give a lot of relief to traffic plying on Bikram Chowk Satwari road. The flyover is built at the cost of Rs.77.54 crores.

Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Kumar Singh, Speaker Legislative Assembly, Kavinder Gupta, Minister of forests, Choudhary Lal Singh, Member Parliament, Jugal Kishore Sharma, MLA, Rajesh Gupta, Senior Officer of Divisional administration and ERA were present on the occasion.

Work on first semi automatic multilevel car parking facility in the state which is being constructed in the erstwhile KMDA at Lalchowk, Srinagar is nearing completion and is expected to be completed soon and shall be operational after the test trials which are underway at present. This hi-tech parking facility in city centre is being constructed by JKERA under its ongoing JKUSDIP (Jammu and Kashmir Urban Sector Development Investment Programme) funded by Asian Development Bank.

Rs 27.15 crore project includes the multilevel (5- levels) puzzle type mechanized semi automatic car parking facility which will accommodate 288 light motor vehicles and provide much needed parking facility in one of busiest commercial places in summer capital. The facility comprises of 4 bays in 5 levels with each having parking space for 72 light motor vehicles. The facility is spread over an area of 1545 sqm which also includes three storeyed commercial complex comprising of office space and public toilet.

The parking facility with entry from Maulana Azad road and exit from exchange road will provide easy and safe parking for vehicle owners who will have to just place their vehicle over the automated pellet and vehicle will be automatically placed in the available vacant parking slot and similarly will be retrieved back from the slot and placed at the automated pellet with whole process taking 2 to 2.5 minutes. The process will be undertaken with the help of imported HID (Human Interface Device) called PLC (Programmed Logic Control Unit) which will be operated by trained engineers and technicians of M/S Simplex engineers private limited who will operate the parking facility for the period of three years as per provisions of the contract and will simultaneously train and build capacities of personnel from SDA (Srinagar Development Authority) who will operate the facility after expiry of operation and maintenance period with the contractor

Workshop on latest pipe network technologies was organized by J&KERA here today. During the workshop experts from M/S Hitachi India Private made a detailed presentation on the latest Pipe Network Management System. Experts from the M/S Hitachi explained in detail about the latest simulated techniques which may be utilized for managing the efficient supply of water with requisite pressure.

This system can be used effectively to create, edit and search pipeline data, search affected area by suspension simulation, display current water distribution status, control pumps based on water demand. It was explained that the adoption of these simulated technologies will drastically reduce the quantity of NRW (Non-Revenue Water) to permissible limits, help field staff of PHED to timely detect and respond to leakage problems in minimum possible time and increase the efficiency of system to great extent.

BesidesVinod Sharma, Chief Executive Officer, ERA workshop was attended by Ravinder Gupta, Director, ERA, Chief Engineer PHED, Sushil Aima, Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control, Rajeev Gandotra, Chief Engineer UEED, Naresh Langeh, Chief Engineer Ravi-Tawi and Design Directorate, H C Jerath, Superintending Engineer, ERA, Jammu, R K Gupta, Superintending Engineer, ERA, Kashmir, K Gupta, Superintending Engineer PHE, Gagan Jyoti, T.O. to CE PHE, Sarvan Singh and other staff of ERA and line departments. M/S Hitachi private limited was represented by Ajay Mahajan (MD) & Mahesh Katare (DGM).

Chief Executive Officer, J&K ERA Vinod Sharma today conducted the extensive site visit of works being executed by J&K ERA in Srinagar city under its ongoing JKUSDIP (Jammu and Kashmir Urban Sector Development Investment programme) funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB)

During the site visit of under execution Express way corridor from Jehangir Chowk to Rambagh Satish Razdan, Director ERA, Kashmir informed that work on the project is gaining pace rapidly and in coming days additional skilled labour and machinery will be mobilized on the project. He said till date Rs 148 crores have been spent on the project. CEO ERA later visited old KMDA where Multilevel car parking facility is being constructed by J&KERA. He was informed that around 80% progress has been achieved on the project with all the civil components being completed while as work on electromechanical components is underway. He said efforts are being made to commission the project by the end of March-2017. except for black topping of internal roads. Engineers were instructed to strongly adhere to quality parameters, safety guidelines. Contractor was also asked to strictly follow the dust suppression measures to avoid inconvenience to public.

Later CEO also visited Athawajan and Rawalpora areas where construction of two mega storm drainage projects are under execution by J&K ERA. Directions were given to the contractor to further gear up the pace of work on construction of pumping station at Athawajan to ensure the timely completion of work. He was also accompanied by Project Manager, Kashmir and other senior officers of J&K ERA along with Consultants of J&K ERA.

State Govt. has entrusted the job of preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) and also to conduct the feasibility studies for the MRTS (Mass Rapid Transport System) in the capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar to RITES (Rail India Technical and Economic services). Decision to this affect was taken last month in a meeting held under the Chairmanship of Hon鍛le Chief Minister. RITES will initially be preparing the Project Report for a length of 45 Kms in Srinagar City and 30 Kms for the city of Jammu.

In the first Phase, Projects shall be prepared for the routes as suggested in the City Mobility Plan (CMP) of Jammu and Srinagar Cities. The process has been initiated following the offer of the Govt. of Japan, inviting proposals for technical cooperation under their Technical Cooperation Program for Metro & Railway Projects in the main cities of different States of India. Formal letter of intent in favor of Ms RITES issued by J&K ERA was handed over to the representative of Ms RITES, Sh. Piyush Kansal, Group General Manager RITES by CEO ERA, Sh. Vinod Sharma at Srinagar here today. The tentative routes suggested in the CMP for Srinagar city are Nowgam Railway station to SKIMS via Baghi Mehtab, Rambagh, Jawahar Nagar, Civil Sectt, Barbarshah, Nowhatta, Hawal, Alamgari Bazar and Pantha Chowk to Shalteng via Lasjan, Badami Bagh, Lal Chowk, Civil Sectt, Tatoo Ground, Bemina. The routes suggested for Jammu are Amphala Chowk to Bari Brahmna via Bikram Chowk, Gandhi Nagar, Satwari & Bakshi Nagar to Purmandal via BC Road, Baghi Bahu, Trikuta Nagar.

On directions of Chief Minister in a review meeting in Srinagar on 20th July 2016 regarding 迭ail Based Mass Transit System� network in the capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar, a meeting with the representatives of M/S Rites Ltd., a Government of India Enterprise was held in the office of Chief Executive Officer, J&K ERA, Jammu on 12th August 2016 to discuss the modalities for further progress of the project.

The M/S Rites ltd. was represented by Piyush Kansal, Country head of Urban Transport and his associates. On behalf of the state government it was attended by Vinod Sharma, Chief Executive Officer, ERA, Iftikhar A Hakim, Chief Town Planner, Kashmir, Malik Bashrat Ahmed, Director (Chief Engineer) Kashmir, ERA, Anil Raina, Chief Town Planner, Jammu, Sudheer Shah, SE R&B, Jammu, on behalf of Chief Engineer, R&B, Jammu and other concerned officers.

After discussing the proposal for Rail Based Mass Transit System Network as recommended in the City Mobility Plan for Jammu and Srinagar cities and also corridor proposed by the state stake holder departments, M/S Rites was asked to submit cost offers within a weeks� time for preparation of Detailed progress report for Rail Transit System in Jammu and Srinagar cities. The DPR should cover following aspects: � City Level Traffic Study including Primary Traffic & Travel Surveys � Development of Travel Demand Model and Traffic Forecast � Mass Transit System Selection � Engineering Surveys � Alignment Design, Utilities and Land � Station Planning & Intermodal Integration � System Design including Rolling Stock, Traction, S&T, AFC etc. � Environmental & Social Impact Assessment � Cost Estimates, Economic & Financial Analysis/TOD � Implementation Strategy and Institutional Arrangement � Disaster, Security and Disable Friendly Measures

They were further asked to be geared up to start work on ground for preparation of comprehensive Detailed Progress Report, immediately after the acceptance of proposal is conveyed to them.

J&K ERA today handed over the two rehabilitation complexes namely Rambagh and Jehangir Chowk rehabilitation complexes constructed by it with the cost of Rs 100 crores to Srinagar Municipal Corporation for the rehabilitation of shopkeepers getting dislocated due to the construction of Rambagh � Jehangir Chowk Flyover in Srinagar city. The handover /takeover took place at a simple function held here today, in the presence of Hon鍛le Deputy Chief Minister, J&K Dr. Nirmal Singh, Chief Executive Officer, J&K ERA Sh. Vinod Sharma handed over the possession of 2 No. complexes at Jehangir Chowk and Rambagh to Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation Sh. Bashir Ahmad Khan.

Shopping Complex at Jehangir Chowk comprises of 152 No. shops with 1,42000 Sqft. Commercial/ office space. It has basement, Ground Floor and 3 Floors.

Shopping Complex at Rambagh comprises of 153 No. shops and 1,04000 Sqft. Commercial/ office space. It has basement, Ground Floor and 2 Floors.

Most of the shopkeepers affected by the flyover have been accommodated in these Complexes except for few leftover cases which are under litigation/ dispute. Henceforth, SMC will be owner of these 2 No. Complexes and draw the rental agreements and charge monthly rent from tenants/ allotees of these Complexes. SMC shall also be responsible for the upkeep of these Complexes. The uncommitted shops in these Complexes shall be allotted by a Committee constituted for this purpose. The allotment Committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir and will have following members: a) Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar b) Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation c) Chief Engineer PW (R&B) Department Kashmir

The function was also attended by Chief Engineer, J&K ERA Kashmir, Er. Malik Basharat Ahmad and other senior officer.

J&KERA under the assistance from Asian Development Bank (ADB) is executing capacity building of Urban Local Bodies of Jammu and Kashmir i.e., Srinagar Municipal Corporation and Jammu Municipal Corporation. To provide Consultancy Services for Capacity Building of Srinagar Municipal Corporation and Jammu Municipal Corporation. JK ERA has appointed M/s PSP Financial Consultants Private Limited as consultants, who will build capacity of Srinagar Municipal Corporation and Jammu Municipal Corporation to improve the service levels, operational efficiency and financial sustainability

The main objectives of the assignment is institutional restructuring of municipal corporations in urban areas of Srinagar and Jammu, Improvement of operational efficiency, Improvement of financial sustainability of operations, tariff rationalization plan and design of transparent subsidy mechanism, improved service levels and customer responsiveness, preparing a comprehensive organizational development plan with clear action plans and timelines to enhance the restructure, functions and staffing of the municipal corporations in J&K in order to improve overall efficiency, productivity and effectiveness of service delivery to citizens, preparing prescribed charter of functions for the municipalities drawing from structure prescribed in the Municipal Corporation Act (2000) and from the 74th Constitutional Amendment of Government of India; Preparing the recommended organizational chart, with duties and job charts for each position in the Corporations, Defining the job description for each department and its wings, Examining the existing systems, practices & methods of dealing with various issues in each department, suggesting improvements and developing new method for each group of functions and activities, recommending decentralization in administration, conducting training needs assessment and providing on the job training to existing employees and induction training to direct recruits, preparing tailor made training courses for future usage in the corporations, preparing human resource development plan for the corporations, preparing revenue improvement action plans for the corporations and providing hand-holding support to the municipalities in implementation of accrual based accounting system. The consultants have been fixed after international level competition

The contract agreement was signed on 26th May, 2016 by the Chief Engineer ERA Mr. Malik Basharat Ahmed and the Representative of the consulting firm in presence of Chief Executive Officer ERA, Mr. Vinod Sharma

The four member team of Asian Development Bank comprising of Mr Atsushi Kaneko, Senior Portfolio Manager, ADB, Ron Slangen, Resettlement Consultant (INRM), Mr Saugata Dasgupta ADB (INRM) visited the state to review the progress of various projects being executed by J&K ERA under the ongoing Jammu and Kashmir Urban Sector Development Investment Programme (JKUSDIP).

ADB mission visited various sites on 4th and 5th March which include construction sites of Jehangir Chowk- Rambagh expressway corridor, Multilevel parking facility at KMDA, Athwajan drainage project along National highway byepass, Mehjoor bridge, revamping of pumping stations along the banks of Jhelum River in Srinagar which was followed by a meeting with ERA officers on 5th , March including Chief Executive Officer Vinod Sharma, Malik Basharat Ahmad, Director Central , J&K ERA, Mir Iqbal Project Manager, JKUSDIP (T) , Zulfiqar Hussain Project Manager, JKUSDIP (Hyd)

Chief Executive Officer, J&K ERA in a meeting informed the visiting team that till date Rs 818 crores have been spent by J&K ERA under the ongoing JKUSDIP funded by Asian Development Bank. He informed them that all out efforts are being made by J&KERA to meet the physical and financial targets set for the projects. He further informed that keeping in view the recent unfortunate flyover accident at Kolkata state govt. has ordered for safety audit of all under construction flyover projects in state including of two flyovers being constructed by J&K ERA in Srinagar and Jammu respectively. He added that in this regard J&KERA has directed its Project Management Consultants to immediately mobilize the services of structural stability engineer and safety engineer to prepare the safety improvement plan for the flyover projects being executed by J&KERA. He further said that third party safety audit from a national level reputed engineering institute is also being considered.

The ADB team also had a meeting with Commissioner, SMC and conveyed there concern about prevailing conditions at Achan Landfill site , SMC Commissioner conveyed the resolve of state govt to operate the Achan Landfill site as per the solid waste management guidelines. The team expressed the overall satisfaction with progress of works and appreciated the efforts being made by J&K ERA to strengthen the safety measures of under construction flyover projects.

Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency (J&K ERA) conducted a workshop on Labour Laws and sensitization of construction workers about various welfare schemes being implemented by the govt. for construction workers at Panthachowk, Srinagar here today

Project Manager, JKUSDIP, Kashmir, J&KERA welcomed participants and briefed them about the purpose of organizing the workshop. He said that safety of labour, timely payment of wages and provision of certain basic facilities at site are a must for psycho -socio-well being of construction workers.

During the course of workshop Resource Person from the Labour department, Mrs.Hafsa Qayoom, Labour Officer, Srinagar made construction workers aware about the various welfare schemes being implemented by Labour department for the betterment of construction workers like accidental death benefit scheme, educational support for children, children s marriage scheme, maternity benefits scheme etc and impressed upon all the construction workers present in the workshop to get themselves registrated with the concerned District Labour Office to avail the benefits of welfare schemes meant for their benefit and also explained them in detail about the process of registration. She also delved at length about Building and Construction workers Welfare Act.

Workshop was attended by Project Manager, (Hyd) JKUSDIP, J&KERA, Deputy Project Manager, (Hyd) J&KERA and other officers of J&K ERA and more than 90 construction workers. Workshop was organized as part of Gender Action Plan and Community Awareness Programme component of ongoing Asian Development Bank funded JKUSDIP (Jammu and Kashmir Urban Sector Investment Programme ) being executed by J&K ERA. As part of this component J&KERA has also organized a series of community based awareness programmes at community levels and also in various schools wherein people are being sensitized about best practices in health, sanitation, environmental protection, solid waste management and behavior Change Communication for school children.