Rs 166 crores are being spent on the upgradation of (07) vital road projects having a cumulative road length of 86 kms and on the construction of the (03) bridges in the Jammu division of the Union Territory under the World Bank funded JTFRP (Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project).

Dr, Syed Abid Rasheed Chief Executive Officer, JKERA/JTFRP was informed about this during a meeting chaired by him to review the progress of works under the component -2 of the World Bank funded JTFRP. Bachanlal Bhagat , Director, JKERA Jammu informed that the road projects to be taken up under JTFRP in Jammu Division include the upgradation of 18.29 km Sidhra –Suransar road, upgradation of 11 km Tutan Di Khuie to Khada- Madana road , upgradation of 10 km Malaini-Chakarbati road, upgradation of 10.15 km Chirala Link road, upgradation of 27 km Gulati to Shahdra Sharief road via Gambir Gali, upgradation of 5 km Devi Mai to Ohli Mandir road and upgradation of 4.5 km Anji-Panasa road.He further informed that the work on the (04) road projects has already been completed while as evaluation process for remaining is underway.

The upgradation of these road projects would involve bringing the existing profile to good condition, necessary road drainage, providing the appropriate crust and surface as per design, improving road geometrics of the existing road that would create smooth riding surface thus leading to the less travel time, saving of fuel and preventing wear and tear to the vehicles.

During the meeting CEO,JKERA/JTFRP was further informed that JTFRP will also be executing the work on the construction of (03) vital bridges in the remote parts of the Jammu Division which include construction of motorable steel bridge from Katheel Ganjoo to Barsoa over Ghordi Nallah and motorable bridge from Barsoa to Patri over Barmeeen Nallah in Udhampur District, construction of steel decked foot bridge over Anji Nallah at Sukhal Ghati in Reasi District and construction of steel truss bridge over Betar nallah in Poonch District. It was added that the work on the two bridge projects has been awarded while as for remaining finalization for the award of work is in final stages. The bridges on completion will provide all weather and reliable connectivity to the people living in these remote parts of the Union Territory and provide them with the better socio-economic opportunities.

CEO, JKERA/JTFRP directed the representatives of the contractors’ who were also present in the meeting that they should mobilize immediately after the lifting of the Covid -19 lockdown and impressed upon the engineers, consultants and contractors to complete the works within agreed timelines and also strictly adhere to the quality parameters.

Meeting was also attended by Ajay Kapahi, Project Manager, Transport,J&KERA ,other senior officers of JKERA/JTFRP Jammu, and the representatives of several contractors.

In a major flip to the health infrastructure in the valley Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTRFRP) is augmenting the existing the Bone &Joint hospital at Barzulla, Srinagar by the construction of 120 bedded block with the stat of the art technology.

The hospital will develop a pioneer world class infrastructure facility with specialized Intensive cre wards , 3 specialised modular operation theatres, rooms for faculty , Doctors , paramedics with special focus on development of hospital a teaching institute.

Various modern concepts in the health care infrastructure including environmental designs , patient wellness consideration , macro/micro level zoning ,multilevel structural grid, scope for futuristic development and optimal area utilization being taken into account.

The structure will be G+4 with modern earthquake resilient technology . the upgradation involves the modular operation theatres ,laminar flow system, TSSU, ICU, pre and post operation wards , CSSD, specialized laundry, pneumatic tube system and waste collection system . the main features of the hospital building would include IGBC rating system , biomedical waste management and structure will be designed as per the seismic zone requirements of the Srinagar city.The bio-medical system designed will cater to the bio-medical generation of 140 kgs/day which will be disposed off along the scientific lines

NPCC said that it will mobilize immediately after the COVID-19 lockdown is ended and CEO ERA/JTFRP Dr. Abid assured the NPCC that JTFRP will facilitate the mobilization in light of the guidelines issued by the Govt. related to execution of construction realted to the hospitals.

Pertinent to mention here that Dr, Chandrshekhar , Consultant, World Bank, former Chief Architect, Ministry of health , Govt of India and Chairman IGBC participated in the deliberations and gave his valuable suggestions with regard to the construction of the hospital as per the parameters of modern health care requirements.

CEO,ERA/JTFRP , Dr Abid directed the R&B (PIU for the project ) and NPCC to ensure the completion of work within the stipulated timeframe of 20 months to avoid any cost overruns. He also said that monthly reviews for the project will be held.

Besides meeting was also attended by the Hemang Karelia, Team Leader, World Bank, Deepak Singh, Deputy Team Leader, World Bank, Manzoor Khan, consultant World Bank, Sami Arif, Chief Engineer, R&B,Kashmir, , Iftikhar Hakim, Director, Planning and Coordination, JTFRP, Iftikhar Ahmed Kakroo ,,Director Technical, JTFRP, Consultants of JTFRP.

A virtual workshop on the “The Contract Management during Emergency situations” was today organized by the World Bank for the Project Management Unit of JTFRP (Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project) which is implementing the USD 250 Million Flood Recovery Project funded by the World Bank in the union territory of the Jammu and Kashmir.

The objective of the virtual workshop was to educate participants about the likely adverse impact of the COVID -19 pandemic on the implementation of the bank funded projects, its possible implications on the contract management and to equip them with the various mitigations measures.

Mr Ananya Kumar, a legal expert briefed participants about the various provisions in Indian legal system for interpreting contractual provisions including force majeure in emergencies. He dwelt at length on the provisions provided under sections’ 32 & 56 of the Indian Contract Act,1872, FIDIC Red Book (1999) (2017) . He said that the Force majeure clause has to be seen in harmony with the contract agreement as a whole. He added that in view of the COVID-19 we need to re-organize ourselves in terms of the changed situation.

Dr.Ajit Patwardhan, contract management expert and former Dean NICMAR,Pune delved at length on the affects of COVID-19 on the construction sector and likely claims to be made by the contractors due to the COVID-19 and the lockdown. He stressed on the need for various contract remedial measures to tackle the situation that may arise in the management of contracts in post COVID-19 scenario. Dr. Ajit also gave the various suggestions to the implementing agencies to minimize the impacts of these events.

Prof. C.L Bansal, Public Policy & Governance expert in his session discussed about the role of Dispute Resolution Boards’ and Arbitrators’ in case of the disagreement between the parties. He said in the post COVID -19 era contracts will have to be looked at practically and not only rationally and existing contracts may have to be re-worked by way of NOVATION, ALTERATION,ACCORD and WAIVER for smooth execution of contracts and to avoid conflicts between the parties.

Dr.Syed Abid Rasheed (IAS) Chief Executive Officer, J&KERA/JTFRP who also attended the inaugural session of the virtual workshop appreciated the World Bank for organizing the event and expressed the hope that the workshop would equip the Project Management Unit, JTFRP to handle the contract management issues of the World Bank funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery project (JTFRP) with a much improved clarity and understanding.

The workshop was also attended by the Iftikhar Hakim, Director Planning and coordination, JTFRP, Iftikhar Ahmad Kakroo, Director, Technical, and other senior officers of JTFRP and more than 350 other participants from different executing agencies across the country via. virtual mode.

The virtual workshop was organized by World Bank in collaboration with AIMA (All India Management Association) and during the course of the workshop participants also had a Q&A sessions with the subject matter experts

Two-day training workshop for girl student volunteers organized by Civil Defense Srinagar in colloboration with JTFRP (Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project) funded by World Bank concluded at Womens Degree College. M.A road Srinagar here today.

The workshop was organized with an objective of imparting the training to 128 girl student volunteers of Womens College , M.A road Srinagar in the areas of relief and rescue efforts in case of natural disasters like earthquakes and floods. The trained instructors from the Civil Defense imparted training to the volunteers on first aid, rescue efforts which included traning on CPR (cardiac pulmonary resuciation) knots, hitches,loops during rescue operations aswell as on fire extingushing methods in case of accidental fires.

Nighat Aman, Deputy Controller, Civil Defence Srinagar in his inaugural address stressed on the need for colloborative efforts in order to face the challenge of natural disasters. She also gave details of the activites conducted by the civil defence like organization of road safety week in April, 2019, relief and rescue activities and snow clearance during Winter season, plantation drives and medical camps in different areas of the Srinagar city.

Jehangir Hashmi, Additional CEO, JKERA congratulated Civil Defence,Srinagar for organizing the 2- day training programme and said that holding of such training programmes in the state is vital to improve the level of preparedeness to meet the challenge of natural disasters in the state of J&K which is very vulnerable to natural disasters. He also highlighted the significance of the traditional architecture of Kashmir like Daji Diwari in prevention of loss of lives during natural calamaties like earthquakes.

The training programme was conducted as part of Strengthening of Disaster Management capacity of the World Bank funded JTFRP (Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project) .Under the component Rs 20 crores have been kept for providing of trainings/equipments to the first responders i.e volunteers at community level who can play a crucial role in rescue and relief efforts immediately after the occurance of natural disasters.

Dr.Yasmin Ashai, Principal Womens College thanked Civil Defence and JTFRP for organizing the workshop for girl students of the college. Training programme was also attended by Sajad Wani, Technical Officer to CEO, ERA, Ms. Fouzia HOD, Department of Geography, Womens College and other staff members of the Civil Defence, JKERA/JTFRP and Womens college M.A road Srinagar

A workshop on “River Morphology Study, Flood Mitigation and Comprehensive River Management measures for Jhelum basin” was organized by the Project Management unit of JTFRP (Jhelum & Tawi Flood Recovery Project ) funded by World Bank at SKICC ,Srinagar here today.
Dr.Raghav Langer (IAS) Chief Executive Officer, JKERA/JTFRP in his inaugural address said that the workshop will provide the platform for sharing our experiences and incorporating them into the study that is being conducted under the Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project .He said that better information sharing would lead to better results.

Pandurang Kondbarao Pole (IAS) Secretary, Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, who was Guest of Honour said that the better information sharing and coordination between various line depts is crucial to formulating long lasting solutions for strengthening the resilience to floods.
Ajeet Kumar Sahu (IAS), Commissioner Secretary, PHE and I&FC who was also Guest of Honour stressed on the need for creating the scientific database available within the various departments at a single platform.

Rohit Kansal (IAS), Principal Secretary, Department of Planning, Development and Monitoring Chief Guest on the occasion in his key note address said that the main aim of the ongoing World Bank funded JTFRP is to ensure that we don't have to go through the traumatic experience of 2014 floods again in our lives. He added that prevention of encroachment of urban flood plain is vital to prevention of such floods in future. He further said that the key to prevention of natural calamities is to undertake developmental activities without disturbing the delicate balance of nature.

David Sargent , Team Leader Eptisa private limited a consultancy that has been engaged by JTFRP for the preparation of River Morphology Study of Jhelum River Basin gave a comprehensive presentation on history of floods in Kashmir, Impact of 2014 floods, present status of the study being undertaken under JTFRP ,various possible solutions to prevent recurrence of such floods in future. Later presentations were also given by the experts on the the field of Flood Forecasting, Early Warning, Fluvial Geomorphology, Inundation map modeling, environmental assessment study of Jhelum basin. The technical session was followed by interactive session during which participants discussed on various aspects that would further enrich the study being undertaken under JTFRP.

Iftikhar Kakroo, Director, Technical, JTFRP presented vote of thanks.
Workshop was attended by Chief Engineers of PHED, Kashmir,R&B Kashmir, UEED J&K, Director Planning and Coordination , JTFRP, Director Regional MET office, M.D JK industries, officers of Chief Town Plannner, Kashmir, Dept of Ecology and Remote Sensing, SMC , JKERA and academicians Dr Shakeel Romsho HOD,Earth Sciences Dept , Professor M.Sultan HOD, Department of Geography and Regional Development from University of Kashmir and also faculty from NIT and IMPA Srinagar.

The 3-day workshop was attended by the elected representatives from more than 30 panchayat/ urban local bodies across the Kashmir Division and during the course of three days experts in the field of disaster management Dr. G.M Dar, Dr Khurshid ul-islam , Dr. Mohammad Asharf Dar and Mr . Ashfaq Matoo, Executive Director, JKASW a practitioner in the area of disaster management briefed participants about the various aspects of disaster management like role of communities in disaster management, community based disaster vulnerability mapping, availability of disaster kits , dry rations, emergency response, importance of local volunteers in relief and rescue work , preparation of community based disaster management plans and role of councilors in disaster management mitigation etc. Audio- visual documentaries related to topic were also screened during the workshop

The objective of the 3-day workshop was to sensitize and build capacities of the elected representatives of PRIs and ULBs in the area of disaster management in order to enable them to perform better in case of natural disasters at community level.

The workshop is being conducted as part of a series of capacity building workshops which is being conducted by J&KERA under its World Bank funded JTFRP and two capacity building workshops for the” Role of NSS scheme in disaster management and “Preparation of school safety plans” have already been conducted which were attended by the NSS coordinators, NSS volunteers and principals and various functionaries of different schools across the valley.

Dr. Raghav Langer , Chief Executive Officer J&KERA briefed the Hon’ble Governor about the salient features of the project. He said the project has been completed with the cost of Rs 41 crores and consists of two limbs of one taking off from Sonawar side and landing near – Linz and other limb landing near the main gate of JKBank corporate office. The two lane Grade Separator has a carriage way width of 7.5 meters and has total length of 630 metres including that of three ramps. The construction of grade separator would pave way for smooth movement of traffic near the TRC- Sonawar- Radio Kashmir crossing were traffic jamming is quite frequent during the peak hours .

Shri Baseer Ahmad Khan, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Shri Dilbag Singh, Director General of Police, Shri Khursheed Ahmad , Commissioner Secretary , R&B , Shahid Iqbal Chowdhary, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar , Chief Engineers of R&B, UEED, PHED ,S.P traffic , Srinagar and several other senior officers also attended the function.

Shri E.Sreedharan , Principal Advisor , J&K Govt for MRTS (Mass Rapid Transit System) project in J&K today visited the proposed corridors for Srinagar city along with Shri Dheeraj Gupta (IAS) , Principal Secretary , Housing and Urban Development Department and Dr. Raghav Langer(IAS) , Chief Executive Officer, J&K ERA, J&K.

During site visit Shri Dheeraj Gupta , Principal Secretary, H&UDD informed Shri E.Sreedharan about the North –South and East- West corridors which have been proposed by RITES limited a Govt. of India Enterprise in its draft DPR for the project. The team had an on spot inspection of various locations in Srinagar city which included Shalteng Batmaloo, Jehangir Chowk,Amirakadal, Sonwar, Nowhatta, SKIMS and Ellahi Bagh (near Hazratbal crossing) etc

Principal Secretary, H&UDD informed that the halting points shall be decided keeping in view the high density traffic areas, key business and administrative areas where daily influx of the commuters is huge. Representatives of RITES India Limited gave on spot presentation of the draft DPR prepared by it for the Srinagar, MRTS.

E Sreedharan, Principal Advisor, MRTS Projects, J&K Govt suggested some modifications during the site visit as per the ground conditions.

Javed Iqbal Tara, Director , Kashmir, JKERA, Fayaz Ahmad , Chief Town Planner, Kashmir, Sheikh Javed, Project Manager, Transport, J&KERA and Nimit Kumar, Manager, RITES accompanied the high level team during the site visit.

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,