J&K ERA has so far spend Rs 156 crores on improving the inter- district connectivity in North Kashmir Districts of Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipore.. Under the transport sector of its ongoing MPIR (Multisector Project for Infrastructure Rehablitation) funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB) J&K ERA agency had taken up work on (9) major road packages having total road length of more than 160 Kms

This was stated to Chief Executive Officer, J&K ERA Shri Saurabh Bhagat during his day long site visit to road projects being executed by J&K ERA In Frontier district of Kupwara and Baramulla . O.K Chadgal Director Transport, J&K ERA informed CEO J&K ERA that so far agency has already completed work on (5) major road packages which include improvement and up gradation of 27.3 Km Sangrama-Sopore-Kulangam Road,15.79 Km Potkah-Pachar Road,15.63 Km Sumbal-Markundal Road, 20.13 Km Watergam-Behrampora road and 6.63 Km Singhpora-Kanihama Road and has achieved (90% - 95%) physical progress on 13.5 Km Kralgund-Ashpora Road and 17 Km Handwara-Zachaldara Road. He further said that work on 30.87 Km Sopore-Bandipore and 15.5 Km Shahdra-Kamalkote packages are also underway in full swing.

CEO ERA inspected progress of work on Sonwani Bridge over Pohru nallah in Kupwara and directed contractor and engineers working on the project to further accelerate pace of work on bridge and ensure that bridge is thrown open for traffic at earliest CEO ERA also inspected macadamisation work presently underway on Handwara_Zachaldara road and directed contractors and engineers to ensure strict compliance to quality control parameters and project deadlines During his site visit to north Kashmir projects CEO ERA also interacted with locals who acknowledged that upgradation of road network in these remote areas has improved their access to health, education and market facilities.

J&K ERA has so far spend Rs 208 crores on improving the inter- district connectivity and providing better road access to world famous tourist destinations of Aharbal & Pahalgam in South Kashmir.. Under the transport sector of its ongoing MPIR (Multisector Project for Infrastructure Rehablitation) funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB) J&K ERA agency had taken up work on (5) major road sub-projects having total road length of more than 115 Kms. The road sub-projects taken up for execution by J&K ERA in south Kashmir included improvement and upgradtaion of 38 Km Pampore-Ladhoo-Khrew-Lethpora loop Road, 24 Km Natipora-Newa- Pulwama road, 24 Km Habdipora-Kaddar-Qaimoh road,29 km Bijbehra –Langanbal Road(detour to Pahalgam), 38 Km Wonpoh-Chawalgam-Aharbal Road and agency has also taken up construction of (6) bridge sub-projects namely Soafshali,Laktipora,Sail, Tokina ,Kirkadal and Wahibugh bridges out of which work on Soafshali and Laktipora bridges has been completed while as work on remaining is nearing completion.

This was stated to Chief Executive Officer ,J&K ERA Shri Saurabh Bhagat during his exhaustive day long site visit to south Kashmir road projects being executed by J&K ERA Shri O.K Chadgal Director Transport, J&K ERA informed CEO J&K ERA that so far agency has completed work on 38 Km long Pampore- Ladhoo-Khrew-wayun-Lethpora loop Road (road stands already commissioned) and work on on 29 Km Bijbehra-Langanbal 24 Km Natipora-New Pulwama road and 42 Km Wonpoh-Chawalgam-Aharbal and 24 Km Habdipora-Kaddar-Qaimoh road projects is nearing completion since more than 90% physical progress has been achieved on these. CEO ERA also inspected macadamisation work presently underway on Habdipora- Qaimoh road and directed contractors and engineers to ensure strict compliance to quality control parameters and project deadlines.CEO ERA also inspected work on Wonpoh-Aharbal and Natipora-New Pulwama road and also interacted with locals during inspection of work who acknowledged that upgradation of road network in these remote areas has improved their access to health, education and market facilities.

Later CEO ERA also inspected work on some bridges in south Kashmir which include Tokina bridge near Chersoo and construction of bridge near Wahibugh in Pulwama. During his visit to Tokina bridge CEO instructed engineers to immediately start macadimistaion work on road stretch leading to Tokina bridge from National highway.

Asian Development Bank has given its nod for advance contracting of urban infrastructure projects amounting to Rs 850 crores to be taken up by Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency (J&K ERA) under tranche-2 of Jammu and Kashmir Urban Sector Development Investment Programme (JKUSDIP).The approval for advance contracting was obtained after all required due diligence reports for these sub-projects have been prepared by J&K ERA. These include preparation of Summary Appraisal Reports, Resettlement plan(s), Initial Environmental Examination(s) and other technical feasibility reports.

J&K ERA has identified 9 sub-projects for Srinagar and Jammu cities under tranche-2 of its ongoing JKUSDIP which include projects for construction of two Expressway corridors’ in Jammu and Srinagar cities, construction of drainage network and further rehabilitation/ strengthening of water supply system, construction of multilevel parking facility in Srinagar city. The tranche-2 of JKUSDIP also includes procurement of some more equipments for municipal corporation and PHED and will also have a separate component for institutional reforms and capacity building.

Chief Executive Officer, J&K ERA Shri Saurabh Bhagat appreciated efforts made by Resettlement/ Environmental experts of J&K ERA in the preparation of requisite due diligence reports that were pivotal for obtaining the approval for advance contracting of tranche-2 sub-projects. CEO ERA said that it would further pave way for negotiating Rs 1200 crore tranche-3 of JKUSDIP with Asian Development Bank that aims at further expanding and improving urban facilities in Srinagar and Jammu cities.

Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency (J&KERA) under its ongoing Asian Development Bank funded Multisector Project for Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project (MPIR) has spent Rs 1411 crores on rehabilitation of basic infrastructure in the state.

This was stated by Shri Saurabh Bhagat, Chief Executive Officer, J&K ERA during meeting with two member team of Asian Development Bank (ADB) that was on a week long visit to state to review the progress of ongoing MPIR. Chief Executive Officer J&K ERA said that under the ongoing MPIR,J&K ERA has so far completed work on 80 sub-projects spread across the state which include 24 road,20 water supply,14 bridge and 4 drainage sub-projects and 18 sub-projects regarding supply of equipments to SMC, JMC and PHED while as work on 20 civil work sub-projects is nearing completion.

Chief Executive Officer, J&K ERA further said that all efforts are being made to ensure completion of project within the stipulated timeframe and Project Implementation Units and Design and Supervision Consultants of J&K ERA have been instructed to ensure strict adherence to quality control parameters and project deadlines. The team appreciated the progress achieved by J&K ERA on MPIR which aims at up gradation and rehabilitation of states basic infrastructure- improvement and up gradation of roads, construction of bridges, revamping of water supply systems and construction of drainage network in Srinagar and Jammu cities.

The visiting team comprising of Mr Anil Motwani (Senior Transport specialist) (ADB) (INRM) and Mr. Saugata Dasgupta (Urban Specialist) (ADB) (INRM) along with senior officers of J&K ERA also visited many urban and transport sector sub-projects.

Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency (J&KERA) under Bridges component of its transport sector of ongoing Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded Multisector Project for Infrastructure Rehabilitation (MPIR) has so far spent Rs 51 crores on construction of 21 bridges in Kashmir division.

Out of 21 bridges taken up by J&K ERA under Transport sector work on ten bridges has already been completed while as work on remaining 11 bridges is presently underway. Bridges already completed include Kanikadal, Gundtaldara, Teilbal bridges in Srinagar district, Town hall and Naraspora bridges in Budgam district, Laktipora and Soafshali bridges in Anantnag district, Dachnipora and Yarbugh bridge in Baramulla district and Popchan in Bandipora district.J&K ERA has spent Rs 22.87 crores on construction of these completed bridges.

Work on remaining eleven bridges is in progress. These include Saidpora and Padshahi bagh bridge (Srinagar), Sail, Tokina and Wahibugh (Pulwama), Sonwani (Kupwara), Chanpora-Kunzer and Singhpora-Kanihama (Baramula). Kirkadal Bridge (Anantnag).70 %– 95 % of work has been completed on these nine bridges.

Further J&K ERA has also taken up construction of two bridges in Ladakh division, Tharmsu-Pushkum in Kargil and Urbis bridge in Leh.These bridges are to be constructed with the total cost of Rs 5.28 crores.

Most of these bridges constructed by J&K ERA are in remote areas of Kashmir division and have been taken up with the main aim of providing people living in these far flung areas with all weather connectivity, improved access to markets, health and educational facilities.

As part of continuous consultative process with the project stakeholders of Jehangir Chowk-Rambagh expressway corridor, Shri Saurabh Bhagat Chief Executive Officer, J&K ERA had meeting with shopkeepers association of Municipal Building at Hari Singh High street. During interaction representatives of shopkeepers association were informed about broader aspects of resettlement plan being implemented for rehabilitation of shopkeepers whose shops will be affected owing to the construction of Jehangir Chowk- Rambagh expressway corridor. They were told that affected shopkeepers of Municipal building will be rehabilitated in the complex being constructed for the purpose in the premises of erstwhile engineering complex work on which has been allotted to JKPCC and as on date work on same is underway. Representatives of Shopkeepers association were assured that all steps will be taken for their honorable and dignified resettlement and their suggestions were invited for further improvement of rehabilitation package and also in the design of under construction Rehabilitation complex.

The state of art rehabilitation complex is being constructed as per modern requirements and will include all modern facilities of adequate car parking, public toilet facility and fire safety system. The meeting was also attended by Director Central, J&K ERA, Director Safeguard J&K ERA, Project Manager, JKUSDIP, Kashmir and other officers of J& K ERA

Jehangir Chowk-Rambagh 4-lane expressway corridor project aims at easing traffic movement on Airport road from Jehangir Chowk to Y junction of Rambagh.

Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency is undertaking the total station survey for marking purposes of shifting of utilities to be done by line departments along the working corridor of Jehangir Chowk-Rambagh Flyover project. The survey is being undertaken as part of decision taken in a recently held coordination meeting with the concerned line departments wherein it was decided to draw the layout of pile caps on ground using total station (electronic measuring device) along the corridor of proposed expressway. The survey involves laying out boundaries of pile caps, painting a strip of 1000mm longx75mm wide on both sides, laying of edge line of foot path on both sides of road and supplying and fixing of boundary pillars with painting. The survey is to be followed by shifting of utilities by concerned line departments along the corridor and J&K ERA has already advanced an amount of Rs 13 crores to concerned line departments for the purpose.

The bidding process for Jehangir Chowk-Rambagh expressway project has already been started with tenders being floated in last week of May and last date for the submission of bids being 23rd July, 2012. Meanwhile J&K ERA is also focusing on resettlement aspects and on making the corridor encumbrance free for start of civil work and in this direction activities like acquisition of land/ structures, clearance of ROW, construction of rehabilitation complexes for shopkeepers getting affected due to construction of flyover have already been started

The expressway project involves construction of 2.41 Kms of 4-lane expressway corridor with take off point at Jehangir chowk and terminal point being at Rambagh crossing

Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency has made an expenditure of Rs 93 crores on various water supply projects taken up by agency under Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded Multisector Project for Infrastructure Rehabilitation in Srinagar city.

The Agency has already completed work on major water supply schemes taken up by agency under urban component of MPIR in the Srinagar city and about 8 lac people of Srinagar city are being benefitted by these 3 major water supply projects which include Laying of 51 Km Rangil Water transmission Main, 13 km Nishat Dalbund Transmission main and 24 Km Nishat Taley Manzil and Doodhganga Transmission main. J&K ERA has til date laid 85.25 Kms of water supply pipe line network in Srinagar city

Further J&K ERA has also taken up work on revamping of five water treatment plants in Srinagar city (Rangil, Nishat, Aliesteng,Doodhganga and Pokhribal) . So far 95% of work has been completed on revamping of these WTP’s in Srinagar city which is estimated to cost Rs 18.29 crores.. This was stated to Shri Saurabh Bhagat,Chief Executive Officer, J&K ERA who today took a review of water supply projects being undertaken by J&K ERA in Srinagar city Project Manager Urban, Kashmir informed him that major portion of civil works on these treatment plants which includes construction of back wash tanks, clarifloculator(s),overhead tanks,backwash tanks and chlorination system have been completed.. The revamping of these WTP’s also includes replacement of worn out mechanical & electrical equipments to enhance the water treatment capacity of these plants.

He further said that in order to make water treatment environmental friendly J&K ERA has also taken up construction of zero discharge tanks at these plants for treatment/recycling of water used for washing of water treatment units which are estimated to cost Rs 6.1 crore.

Shri Saurabh Bhagat, Chief Executive Officer, J&K ERA today during a comprehensive inspection of all the three storm water drainage works being executed by J&K Economic Reconstruction Agency along National highway bypass from Bemina Fruit mandi to Pohru chowk impressed upon engineers and consultants to ensure completion of the mega drainage project during the current working season.

G.H Ganie,Project Manager, Urban, Kashmir,J&K ERA informed Bhagat that so far Rs 92 crores have been spent on mega drainage project and overall progress of 80% has been achieved on the project which involves construction of 54 Kms of drainage network from Pohru-Chowk to Bemina Chowk divided into three schemes namely-,17.6 Km Pohru – Chanapora, 24 Km Rawalpora-Tengpora and 12.8 Km Bemina chowk to Fruit mandi. Ganai said that work on several crucial road cuts has also been completed.

Bhagat inspected work on construction of MPS (Main pumping station) and IPS (Intermediate pumping station) at Gulshan Nagar, Chanapora, Tengpora and at Bemina. He directed engineers and consultants to further speed up work on both civil and electromechanical components to ensure early completion of the project.

CEO ERA also inspected ongoing macadamisation of roads being carried out presently by J&K ERA in several colonies of Hyderpora and instructed engineers to complete macadamisation work within two months

During his visit to the drainage sites CEO ERA also interacted with some locals who appreciated CEO ERA for continuously monitoring the progress of work on drainage schemes and acknowledged that the construction of storm water drainage network in their areas has provided relief from water logging during winters and rainy season. They said that macadamisation of interior roads in Gulberg, Shah Anwar and other adjoining colonies has also given a new facelift to these residential areas.

Chief Executive Officer, J&K ERA Shri Saurabh Bhagat today inspected work on revamping of water treatment plants being executed by J&K Economic Reconstruction Agency under the Asian Development Bank funded Multisector project for Infrastructure Rehabilitation in Srinagar city.

G.H Ganie,Project Manager, Urban, Kashmir, J&K ERA informed CEO ERA that so far 95% of work has been completed on revamping of 5 major water treatment plants in Srinagar city which is estimated to cost Rs 18.29 crores. Giving details he said that so far agency has completed 90000 gallon capacity back wash tank, 2.20 MGD clarifloculator,35000 gallon overhead backwash tank at Nishat Plant,1,5 MGD clarifloculator,20,000 gallon capacity overhead tank at Doodhganga plant.civil works for gaseous chlorination system at Pokhribal Plant.50,000 gallon capacity overhead backwash tank and civil works for gaseous chlorination system at Aliisteng plant. The revamping of these WTP’s also includes replacement of worn out mechanical & electrical equipments to enhance the water treatment capacity of these plants.

In order to make water treatment environmental friendly J&K ERA has also taken up construction of zero discharge tanks at these plants for treatment/recycling of water used for washing of water treatment units which are estimated to cost Rs 6.1 crores. Project Manager ERA informed CEO ERA during his site visit to Rangil WTP that zero discharge system being constructed at the plant will recycle/treat 3400000 liters of backwash water /day that would be sufficient to provide potable water to about additional 21935 people/day besides preventing pollution and silting up of water bodies and arable land.