Shri Saurabh Bhagat, Chief Executive Officer, J&K Economic Reconstruction Agency (J&K ERA) today inspected progress of work on Natipora-Chadoora Chariersharief road which has been taken up for upgradation by J&K ERA under the transport sector of its ongoing MPIRJK (Multisector Project for Infrastructure Rehabilitation in Jammu and Kashmir)funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The work on up gradation of 24 km Natipora-Chaddora- Chariersharief road which is estimated to cost Rs 21.91 crores is presently under execution. Shri O.P Dubey ,Director Transport J&K ERA informed Chief Executive Officer, J&K ERA that till date around 75 % progress has been achieved on the project and appreciable progress has been achieved on components of project like construction of breast walls, retaining walls, construction of pipe/box culverts and road drainage and laying of WBM/ WMM has been completed for 22 kms of road and for remaining portion will be laid as soon the required temperature is attained .

The integrated road project also includes construction of Wathoora and Kakawring bridges while Wathoora bridge has already been completed and was inaugurated by Jenab Abdul Rahim Rather Honourable Minister for Finance on March 18th ,2012.

Work on another bridge at Kakaw-ring is in progress and till date more than 55% of work on bridge has been completed. Chief Executive officer J&K ERA directed engineers and consultants working on the project to ensure that work on the project is completed during the current working season. He also directed them to scrupulously follow requisite quality parameters for the project.

Later he also inspected progress of work on Padshahi bagh bridge which is being constructed with the cost of Rs 2.42 crores.He directed concerned engineers to further speed up progress of work on project to ensure its early completion.
Project Manager, Transport, J&K ERA, Kashmir and other engineers and consultants accompanied CEO ERA during his visit to the project.

Asian Development Bank team comprising of Mr Atsushi kaneko Senior Urban Development specialist ( ADB), Mr Ron Slangen Urban Development specialist(ADB) concluded its two day visit to valley to review the preparedness of tranche-II projects of JKUSDIP (Jammu and Kashmir Urban Sector Development Investment Programme) being executed by Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency (JKERA) in the state.

In the meeting chaired by Shri Saurabh Bhagat, Chief Executive Officer, J&K ERA the team was briefed about the project preparedness of the major projects which are proposed to be taken up by J&K ERA under the tranche-II of the Asian Development Bank funded JKUSDIP.These include construction of Jehangir chowk-Natipora expressway corridor in Srinagar and construction of vikram chowk expressway corridor in Jammu. Besides construction of multilevel parking facility in Srinagar and some water supply and drainage projects in Jammu and Srinagar.

It was said that preparation of all preliminary project planning documents regarding these projects which are estimated to cost around Rs 800 crore (approx.) in total has been completed by J&K ERA and submitted to ADB. As part of rehabilitation measure the displaced shopkeepers of kabbadi/ cheap market have been paid compensation of Rs 12 lakhs in lieu of income loss and shifting grant. Besides that displaced shopkeepers of cheap/Kabbadi markets have also been rehabilitated in the shopping complex constructed by SMC in the nearby vicinity were these shopkeepers are presently undertaking their business in a normal manner.

Further JKPCC which has been allotted construction of rehabilitation complexes near Jehangir Chowk and Rambagh has been asked to ensure the completion of these as per stipulated timeframe for timely attainment of rehabilitation milestones.
The visiting ADB team expressed overall satisfaction with the progress achieved by J&K ERA on resettlement and other aspects of the project.
The meeting was also attended by Shri Khalid Muzaffar, Director Central, J&K ERA, Shri O.P Dubey Director Urban, J&K ERA, Mrs Shagufta Qazi, Director Finance, J&K ERA and other senior officers of J&K ERA and project support unit of Asian Development Bank.

During his visit to rehabilitation site near Jehangir Chowk CEO ERA took on spot review of progress of work on 4 storied rehabilitation complex with parking facility in the basement which has been allotted to JKPCC and is likely to cost of Rs 50 crores. CEO ERA directed that JKPCC be asked to expedite pace of work on complex to ensure that work is completed within stipulated time period.

Concerned Project Manager of J&K ERA informed CEO ERA that process of distribution of cheques in lieu of one month income loss among displaced khokhawallas of kabbadi market has been completed. CEO ERA expressed satisfaction with the pace of work on construction of prefabricated shopping line for displaced khokhawallas . He also had an interaction with the khokhawallas of Kabbadi market and assured them that all steps will be taken for early resumption of their routine business activity. CEO ERA asked Project Manager (JKUSDIP) J&K ERA that displaced khokhawallas be given income loss for another month also.

Chief Executive Officer, J&K ERA Shri Saurabh Bhagat today chaired a meeting to review the progress on preparatory stage of projects to be taken up by J&K ERA under tranche-II of Asian Development Bank Loan-2.Progress achieved on preparatory stages like preparation of ,SAR’s (Summary Appraisal Reports), DPR’s (Detailed Project Reports), RP’s(Resettlement Plans), IEE(Initial Environment Examination) etc of each proposed sub-project was reviewed

During review meeting progress achieved on preparation of Bikram Chowk-Women’s college expressway corridor project which is proposed to be taken up by Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency (J&K ERA) under tranche-II of its Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded Jammu and Kashmir Urban Sector Development Investment program me (JKUSDIP) was discussed threadbare.

Director Central J&K ERA, Shri Khalid Muzaffar informed that so far the technical details regarding the said express way corridor project which include preparation of Summary Appraisal Report (SAR), Detailed Project Report (DPR) including the technical design for the project has been completed. He said technical design for the project has also been vetted by I.I.T Rorkree and RITES.As regards social and environmental feasibility reports Director Central said that Resettlement Plan(RP) and Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) for project have also been prepared and submitted to Asian Development Bank for approval. It was said that two structures are getting affected due to the construction of expressway corridor and plan for rehabilitation of these two commercial structures has already been chalked out and it is proposed that these two commercial establishments will be rehabilitated in SRTC complex. He said decision regarding the same was made in the recently held meeting of Divisional Level Committee. He said that SRTC will hand over the requisite land required for rehabilitation of these two commercial establishments to revenue department for leasing out the land to concerned affected parties.

The proposed 8 Lane Vikram chowk- women college expressway cooridor is estimated to cost Rs 95.5 crores and would play a vital role in reducing the traffic congestion in Jammu city particularly near Vikram chowk junction,police lines and GandhiNagar chowk.

Chief Executive Officer, J&K ERA impressed upon all the concerned engineers, consultants and other staff working on the preparation of tranche-II projects to work in mission mode so that all necessary clearances/approvals are obtained from ADB and other agencies at earliest and work on ground started soon. Meeting was also attended by Director,Safeguards, J&K ERA, Project Manager (JKUSDIP) J&K ERA,Team Leader of Project support unit (ADB), Team Leader, Design and Supervision Consultants (Loan-II) and other officers and specialist staff of J&K ERA.

Chief Executive Officer, J&K ERA Shri Saurabh Bhagat today visited corridor of proposed Jehangir Chowk-Rambagh express-way corridor to review the progress achieved on rehabilitation/resettlement aspects of the project. During his visit CEO ERA inspected progress of work on one of the rehabilitation complex being constructed near Jehangir chowk for shop keepers getting affected due to the construction of said flyover. Shri Khalid Muzaffar, Director Central J&K ERA informed CEO ERA that work on the 4 storied rehabilitation complex with parking facility in the basement has been allotted to JKPCC and is likely to cost of Rs 50 crores. He directed officers of JKPCC present on the site to gear up speed of work on the rehabilitation complex and deploy more men and machinery on site so that work on complex is completed within the stipulated time period.

Chief Executive Officer, JKERA also inspected progress of work on construction of prefabricated shopping line being constructed for displaced khokhawallas of kabaddi/cheap market near Jehangir chowk . He also had an interaction with the khokhawallas of cheap market and assured them that all steps will be taken for early resumption of their routine business activity. CEO also inspected progress of work on Sanitary Landfill site at Achan which is being developed by J&KERA under tranche-I of ADB (Asian Development Bank) loan 2 with the cost of Rs 17 crores. He was informed that as on date more than 97% physical progress has been achieved on the project. He also visited proposed site for construction of multilevel parking facility at KMDA were he was briefed about technical design and other parameters of the facility.

CEO ERA also in presence of Director Central,J&K ERA and Director Urban, J&K ERA distributed cheques in lieu of displacement grant and one month income loss among some displaced khokhawallas of kabbadi/cheap market who had voluntarily removed their khokas near Jehangir chowk and had been assured that they will be provided with better alternate shops in the nearby vicinity. It was also decided that disbursements of Cheques to remaining khokawallas will be made in coming days by Project Manager (JKUSDIP) JK ERA Kashmir and Social/Resettlement expert . J&K ERA, Kashmir.

Chief Executive Officer, Shri Saurabh Bhagat today conducted a day long field visit of various infrastructure projects being executed by J&K ERA in Srinagar city under Urban Sector of Asian Development Bank funded project.

Chief Executive Officer, ERA visited all the three mega storm water drainage projects being constructed by J&K ERA along National highway byepass from Pohru chowk to Bemina fruit mandi.

A detailed presentation regarding the technical design, and areas to be benefitted by the said projects was made by Shri O.P Dubey, Director Urban, J&K ERA and G.H Ganie, Project Manager (Urban), J&K ERA, Kashmir. During his visit CEO, ERA inspected the construction of three pumping stations at Gulshan nagar, near Chanapora bridge and Tengpora. Project Manager Urban, J&K ERA informed CEO that till date 37 kms of trunk drain, main drain and sub main,s have been completed.

CEO ERA visited Gulberg colony,Shah Anwar colony, some residential colonies of Chanapora were drains have already been completed by JKERA and during his visit had interaction with local residents who acknowledged that with the completion of storm water Drainage in these areas these areas have been provided with relief from getting inundated during winter and rainy season. CEO ERA issued several on spot instructions to engineers and contractors to ensure systematic and timely completion of drainage works.

Jammu and Kashmir government today approved the launch of the prestigious 450 million litre per day (MLPD) Chenab river drinking water supply scheme at a cost of Rs 895 crore to cater to the needs of greater Jammu city. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who chaired a high level meeting here to review the water supply position in city, approved the project to be implemented with Asian Development Bank (ADB) assistance.

A detailed project report (DPR) based on ground realities should be prepared as early as possible, Chief Minister said and asked Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) to approach ADB for funding the project. Omar said the gap between the availability and the demand of drinking water in Jammu needs to be focused on priority and viable project prepared by ERA posed for ADB funding.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) ERA, Saurab Bhagat said the first phase of the scheme, likely to be completed within three years, would involve an expenditure of about Rs 491.50 crore and the second phase Rs 403 crore. The Chief Minister also reviewed the status of flyovers being constructed in Jammu and Srinagar at a cost of Rs 350 crore

Chief Executive Officer, J&K ERA Shri. Saurabh Bhagat today chaired a meeting to review the progress on safeguard issues of the various infrastructure projects being executed by J&K ERA with the financial assistance of Asian Development Bank (ADB).

A detailed presentation was made by Shri Vinod Sharma, Director Safeguard J&K ERA regarding the various ADB’s Safeguard requirements which include- policies related to environment and social impacts, grievance redressal mechanism, information disclosure, monitoring and reporting mechanism. He was also briefed about various measures taken up by ERA to implement safeguard procedures. CEO ERA expressed overall satisfaction with the implementation of safeguard measures and directed all concerned to further speed up compliance on safeguard issues. “It was decided that in case of any grievance regarding any work being executed by JK ERA the concerned people can communicate their grievance if any to ERA authorities either by writing directly to PRO J&K ERA (for Kashmir Projects) and Administrative Officer J&K ERA (for Jammu Projects) or post their grievances on ERA website(www.jkera.org),” the handout added.

CEO ERA emphasized on all Directors that strict instructions be given to all the contractors /consultants executing work on ground to follow stipulated safeguard requirements and in case of any non compliance implementing agency be penalized. The meeting was attended by Shri Vinod Sharma,Director Safeguards,J&K ERA Shri O.P Dubey Director Urban,J&K ERA, Shri Khalid Muzaffar, Director Central/Transport and all other concerned officers of J&K ERA.

On this occasion it was decided that in case of any grievance regarding any work being executed by JK ERA the concerned people can communicate their grievance if any to ERA authorities either by writing directly to PRO J&K ERA (for Kashmir Projects) and Administrative Officer J&K ERA (for Jammu Projects) or post their grievances on ERA website(www.jkera.org).

Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency (J&KERA) today organized a workshop on “ Operation and Maintenance of Water supply system” at Institute of Hotel Management, Rajbagh, Srinagar.

A day long workshop was organized as part of capacity building component of Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded Multi sector Project for Infrastructure Rehabilitation (MPIR) with an objective of making participants aware about the best practices adopted for operation and maintenance of water supply schemes..

Shri G H Ganie, Project Manager (Urban) JK ERA while welcoming the participants gave brief presentation regarding aims and objectives of workshop.

Shri Gh Rasool Zargar, Chief Engineer, PHED, Kashmir, Guest of Honour on the occasion appreciated the quality of work undertaken by ERA under its ADB funded project. He said with the completion of mega water supply projects by ERA, PHED Kashmir today is in a much better position to provide best quality drinking water to the people of Srinagar City.

Shri Gh Rasool Zargar, Chief Engineer, PHED, Kashmir, Guest of Honour on the occasion appreciated the quality of work undertaken by ERA under its ADB funded project. He said with the completion of mega water supply projects by ERA, PHED Kashmir today is in a much better position to provide best quality drinking water to the people of Srinagar City. Shri O.P Dubey Director Urban J&K ERA who was Chief Guest on the occasion said that ERA has been able to complete majority of works in both Srinagar and Jammu cities under loan I and all through the execution of works ERA has enjoyed full cooperation and support from all line departments especially PHED. He said ERA and PHED are working with the team spirit for providing safe and clean drinking water to the people of the state . Highlighting the significance of holding workshop, Director Urban said that since most of the mega projects under water supply component have been completed and now the O&M (operation and maintenance) of these assets is of paramount importance. He said that till date ERA has completed and commissioned works worth 115 Crores under the water supply component He also said that ERA has also taken up the revamping of 5 Water Treatment Plants (WTP) in the Srinagar City and said that it for the first time that chlorination gaseous system will be used for treatment of raw water.

Later on Power point presentation were made by Shri OP Goyal on Energy Aduit and O&M of Electro Mechanical Equipments, Shri L.K Narayana on Use of Chlorination gases system in ater treatment, Shri V.K Chhabra on Water Quality and O&M of filter plants. Shri Jaipal Lokwani presented a case study of Mansarovar Jaipur on 24 x 7 water supply system and followed b Presentation on Electro Magnetic Flow meters by Mr Sandu.

Workshop also included Brainstorming Session in which participants from Line departments had interaction with the experts regarding issues faced during treatment of raw water and operation and maintenance of water treatment plants . The workshop was attended by 120 participants from PHED, ERA and other line department

Workshop was also attended by Shri Khalid Muzaffar, Director Transport/Central J&K ERA, Mr Ahmed Muzaffar Lankar Chief Engineer I&FC and Project Managers of JKERA, Team Leaders Shri BB Gupta and Shri Mr Bhavash Kumar besides engineers and field Staff of ERA

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 630 crores on rehabilitation of basic infrastructure in Kashmir division . Overall progress of 75% has been achieved on the project which aims at improvement and upgradation of roads and bridges under Transport sector and renovation and up gradation of basic urban facilities of water supply, drainage etc in twin cities of Srinagar and Jammu.

This was stated to the two member visiting team of Asian Development Bank (ADB) that visited valley to review the progress of ongoing MPIR. Team was informed that under the ongoing MPIR, J&K ERA had taken up work on 63 projects in Kashmir division out of which 19 projects have already been completed. The visiting team comprising of Mr Anil Motwani (Senior Transport specialist) (ADB) (INRM) and Mr. Sawgata Dasgupta (Urban Specialist) (ADB) (INRM) along with senior officers of J&K ERA visited many urban and transport sector sub-projects in valley .

ADB Team was informed that under MPIR JKERA that 370 km, out of 446 Kms and 10 bridges out of 22 bridges have been completed under Transport sector. However under Urban sector it was informed that 87 kms of water supply pipeline network and 37 kms of drainage network out of 53 kms 8 nos “Pay and Use” Toilet blocks at prominent places in Srinagar city have been completed by JKERA under the project.

The visiting team visited various sites were work was going on presently. During the site visit team had an interaction with residents of Mujgund, in outskirts of Srinagar city which falls on the tail end of 51 km long Rangil water supply transmission main which was completed by ERA in 2010. The residents of the area expressed their gratitude to JKERA for providing them with uninterrupted supply of clean drinking water.

The team during their meeting with Shri B.B Vyas, Chief Executive Officer, JKERA expressed overall satisfaction with progress achieved on the project and said that steps be taken for early handing over of of assets created to the concerned line departments for early utilization. Meeting was also attended by Shri Khalid Muzaffar, Director Transport, J&K ERA, Shri O.P Dubey, Director Urban, J&K ERA, Z.A Wani, Director Finance, J&K ERA and other senior officers of J&K ERA.