The team upon its arrival in Srinagar attended the meeting at Civil Secretariat, Srinagar which was held under the chairmanship of Shri Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary Planning, Development and Monitoring Department who apprised the visiting team about the progress achieved on Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery .Dr. Raghav Langer, Chief Executive Officer, JKERA also attended the meeting.

Later in the day Dr. Raghav Langer chaired the meetings wherein the visiting team was apprised about the progress achieved on Urban Flood Management and Restoration and Strengthening of livelihood components of the JTFRP. The meetings were also attended by Peerzada Hafizullah, Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Javid Iqbal, Managing Director, J&K Industries and Commerce department which form the project implementation units of JTFRP along with the Public Works Department. The meetings were also attended by other senior officers of JTFRP unit of ERA.

J&K ERA has achieved 97% physical progress on the Rawalpora- Chanapora mega storm water drainage project which is being constructed by J&K ERA with cost of Rs 165 crores under its Asian Development Bank funded JKUSDIP (Jammu and Kashmir Urban Sector Development Investment Programme).

This was informed to Dr. Raghav Langer, CEO, ERA during his visit to the site. Zulfiqar Beigh, Project Manager, Hydraulic , JKERA said that the project will benefit the catchment area of 284.75 hectares along the National highway byepass which include localities from Rangreth to Chanapora bridge and will benefit around 60,000 souls living in the localities. He said work on civil components of laying of main and sub-main drainage network has already been completed as well as construction of (03) main pumping stations along with the installation of electromechanical components which are equipped with submersible pumps each having discharge capacity of 25 cusecs, 40 cusecs and 37 cusecs respectively which can work even in inundated conditions. These include one at Afandi bagh for zone I of the catchment area and main pumping stations at Madina Enclave for zone II and third MPS at Alamdar colony for zone III of the catchment while as work on one IPS (Intermediate pumping station) near check yayil near which is required for zone III of the project couldn’t be taken up so far due to some land acquisition issues.

CEO, ERA directed the concerned officers to immediately submit the formal proposal regarding the land acquisition issue involved in the construction of intermediate pumping station so that the issue is taken up with the concerned quarters for its resolution. CEO, ERA also directed consultants to prepare the proposal for automation of the storm water drainage projects completed by ERA through SCADA system so far so that same may be proposed in the forthcoming JKIDP (Jammu and Kashmir Infrastructure Development Project) funded by Asian Development Bank.

During inspection of work on Jehangir –Chowk –Rambagh flyover project . Showkat Wani , Director Kashmir , JKERA informed that under phase-I of the project etween comprising of Amar Singh college to Barzulla Bridge has already been completed in May , 2018 and one way traffic on the stretch is plying which has decongested the traffic on the said road stretch underneath to a great extent and presently work on 2nd phase of the project between Rambagh to Allochi-Bagh stretch has been further accelerated and more than 80% physical progress has been achieved. CEO ERA directed contractor to ensure that phase –II of the project is completed and made motarable by 31st Dec, 2018.While giving out details about 3rd- phase of the project between Amar Singh College to Jehangir Chowk it was informed that as on date 50% progress has been achieved and structural component of the phase is expected to be completed by March-2019.

Later CEO, ERA inspected progress of work on grade separator near TRC where he was informed that 60% physical progress has been achieved on the project as a whole and presently work on construction of ramps on Sonawar- Linz and JK Bank Corporate limbs are in full swing.CEO ERA directed contractor to mobilize additional man and machinery to ensure the completion of work by Dec, 2018 and March, 2019 respectively for both limbs.

It was also directed by CEO that concerned engineers and consultants of ERA will on daily basis monitor the progress of these works in case of laxity on part of the contractor penalty and other penal provisions in the clause shall be invoked . The CEO reiterated that these projects be completed as per the agree timelines as already excessive dealy has happened in the completion of these vital projects.

The concerned contractor for the flyover project raised the issue of diversion of traffic between Naaz Crossing to Jehangir Chowk for undertaking works in this stretch regarding which the CEO directed ERA officials to submit a detailed site plan within timelines so that the same can be taken up with IGP Traffic, Srinagar.

Besides Director Kashmir, JKERA, Sheikh Javed, Project Manager, Transport , J&K ERA. Team Leader, DSC and other officers of JKERA and consultants accompanied CEO ERA during the site visit

The Officer has wealth of experience in the area of infrastructure projects and has also served as Chief Executive Officer, PMGSY, Programme Director of Namami Gange, Project Director for World Bank funded Peri- Urban Water Supply Programme in Uttrakhand. On assuming the charge of Chief Executive Officer, JKERA, Dr Raghav was accorded a warm welcome by officers and staff of J&K ERA.

CEO. ERA was briefed about the organizational structure of JKERA. Later in the day CEO ERA was chaired a meeting wherein he was informed about physical and financial progress of various mega projects which are presently being executed by J&KERA under its ongoing Jammu Kashmir Urban Sector Development Investment Programme (JKUSDIP) funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB). Meeting was also attended by Showkat Wani, Director, Kashmir, JKERA, Suresh Kaul, Director, Finance, JKERA, Zulfiqar Beigh Project Manager, Hydraulic, Kashmir, Javed Sheikh, Project Manager, Transport, Kashmir and other senior officers of JKERA

A meeting to chalk out modalities for introduction of mobile –app based “Bicycle Sharing” which is considered to be an eco-friendly and healthy solution to de-congest the traffic in most of cities globally was held here today under the chairmanship of Farooq Ahmad Lone, Chief Executive Officer, J&KERA/Srinagar Smart city Limited.

During the meeting which was attended by Anuj Malhotra , Traffic Advisor to Govt of J&K Abdul Majeed Raina,Vice Chairman, Srinagar Development Authority, Riaz Ahmad Wani, Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation , Satish Razdan, Director, ERA, Kashmir, and other senior officers of Traffic police and district administration it was informed that “Bicycle Sharing “ is being introduced in Srinagar city as a component of Srinagar Smart City Mission.

Experts in the field gave a detailed presentation on the concept of “bicycle sharing” and said that bicycle sharing operates through a mobile application which users are required to download on their mobile phones and enter the plate number displayed on each bicycle provided at the bicycle bay to receive the passcode to unlock the bicycle. On reaching the destination users would have to park the bicycle in the designated parking areas near their destination and lock the bicycle. The concept works on the economic principle of sharing of same resources at multiple times and aims at replacing the car with bicycle for urban mobility as doing same would pave way for traffic de-congestion, decreased levels of emission of harmful carbon dioxide and SO2 gases that are major contributors to air pollution besides promoting the healthy lifestyles amongst the city dwellers.

It was decided that a complete recce of the Srinagar city will be conducted by the officers of SMC, SDA,SSCL, along with the experts to work out the most feasible model to be taken up for implementation of the concept.

Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency (JKERA) has spent Rs 27.28 crores on the up gradation and upliftment of 23 drainage pumping stations on right and left sides of river Jhelum in Srinagar City.

This was informed by Director Kashmir , JKERA , Satish Razdan to Chief Executive Officer , JKERA ,Farooq Ahmad Lone who today chaired the meeting to review physical and financial progress of the sub-project which is being undertaken by JKERA under the ongoing JKUSDIP (Jammu and Kashmir Urban Sector Development Investment programme ) funded by Asian Development Bank. Razdan said work on 8 drainage pumping stations located at Govt Polytechnic ( Gogji bagh) Govt Silk Factory ( Rajbagh) Golf course, Tengpora, Alouchi bagh, Abiguzar, Bishembar Nagar and Barbarshah has been completed. While as 75%- 90% physical progress has been achieved on remaining drainage pumping stations.

Chief Executive Officer, JKERA directed Project Manager (Hydraulic), JKERA to immediately take up the process of handing over of the completed pumping stations to the concerned line department and also ensure the completion of work on remaining pumping stations by the targeted dates.

The sub-project involves revamping of these pumping stations by installation of new electro-mechanical equipments along with the necessary civil works that were necessitated due to the raised HFL ( high flood level) in Srinagar city due to the floods of 2014 during which the said pumping stations were badly damaged. Meeting was also attended by Mohammad Maqbool Wani, Project Manager,(Hyd), JKERA, Parvaiz Maqbool Fazli, Team Leader DSC and other officers of JKERA .

Satish Razdan , Director Kashmir , JKERA informed that as on date 80% progress has been achieved on the construction of prestigious Jehangir chowk- Rambagh expressway corridor . He said that work on 1st phase of the project i.e Amar singh college – Barzulla Bridge sector has been completed structurally and construction of crash barriers in the sector has also been completed while as work on allied components like laying of electric cables, erecting of view cutters and erection of electric poles for illumination of the corridor and joining of expansion joints and construction of downward ramp towards Natipora etc is underway in full swing. He said that similarly work on other sectors of the coveted project is also underway were work on laying of working piles, pile caps, pier shafts , erection of girders and laying of deck slabs is underway.

While reviewing the progress of work on construction of Mehjoor Bridge and Grade separator at TRC, CEO ERA was informed that out of the total of 3 deck slabs in Mehjoor Bridge two have already been laid while as 3rd slab was being laid today and work on construction of approach road, retaining walls and joining of expansion joints would be started soon. With regard to the construction of Grade separator at TRC it was given out that formidable progress has been achieved on some of the components of the work like construction of working piles, pile caps, pier shafts and pier caps and pilling work is underway on limbs of the grade separator towards Linz and JK Bank corporate office and now the focus is being given on laying of pre-stressed girders and steel girders and other allied works.

CEO ERA later conducted the site visits to all the three sites and directed contractor to strictly adhere to the quality parameters and also mobilize more men and machinery to ensure that works are completed by the targeted dates.

Besides Director Kashmir, JKERA, Parvaiz Maqbool Fazli, Team Leader, DSC and other officers of JKERA and consultants accompanied CEO ERA during the site visit

Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency has achieved 85% physical progress on laying of 18 Km Raw water pipeline from higher reaches of Doodhganga (near Nauhara bridge) to Kralpora Water Treatment Plant.

Farooq Ahmad Lone , Chief Executive Officer , JKERA was informed about this during his site visit to the project . Mohammad Maqbool Wani, Project Manager (H) JKERA informed that Rs 43 crore project will provide direct gravity flow good quality water from the higher reaches of Doodhganga nallah to water treatment plant at Kralpora which will be free from turbidity and would also save Rs 4 crores annually which are currently being spent on lifting of raw water for Kralpora water treatment plant.

CEO was informed that the project on completion will provide additional supply of Raw water to the 10 water supply schemes enroute which include Nagam, Zuhama, Mir mohalla, Chadoora, Wathura, Bugam, Doniwari, Handle Bagh, and Chatergam water supply schemes.. It was further informed that on completion the project will benefit the population of 3.5 lacs in District Budgam and several residential areas of south Srinagar viz- Gopalpora, Kralpora, Wanabal, Machu, Rawalpora, Baghi Mehtab, Lal Nagar, Chanapora, Natipora, Peerbagh, Parray pora, Baghat, Barzulla, Rambagh, Solina, Aalichibagh, Gogjibagh, Haftchinar, Tulsibagh, and Jawahar Nagar (partly)

During his site visit CEO ERA inspected the progress of work on construction of pipe racks near Kralapora, Wathura and at Zuhama were pipeline is required to be crossed over the Doodhganga stream by way of construction of concrete racks across the two banks of stream . CEO directed the contractor to complete the work on construction of these pipe racks within next 10 days .He also directed the engineers to further expedite the progress of work on project and directed them to ensure that pipeline is ready for testing by March 2018.

Besides Project Manager (H). JKERA, Kashmir, Parvaiz Maqbool Fazli, Team Leader DSC and other officers of JKERA accompanied CEOERA during his site visit

Farooq Ahmad Lone , Chief Executive Officer J&KERA today conducted the comprehensive site visit of Jehangir chowk –Rambagh Expressway corridor to review the progress of the coveted project.

During the site visit of Amar Singh College- Barzulla Bridge sector of the project Chief Executive Officer. JKERA was informed by Mir Mohammad Iqbal, Project Manager, JKERA (Transport) that since last two weeks laying of 5 remaining slabs in this sector including two solid slabs of 220 mm thickness have been completed and presently work on other allied components which include construction of two ramps one each at Amar singh college crossing and near Barzulla bridge , stressing of solid slabs, laying of cables, laying of crash barriers, erecting of view cutters and erection of electric poles for illumination of the corridor and joining of expansion joints etc is also underway in full swing.

CEO ERA was informed that work on most of the components in Amar Singh College—Abinandhan home sector have been completed while as further impetus is being given for pending works in Rambagh-bridge- Barzulla bridge section.It was also informed that as on date 70%-75% progress has been achieved on the project as a whole. CEO ERA directed all concerned to ensure that work on 1st phase of the coveted project is completed within the targeted date.

CEO appreciated the efforts being made by the engineering staff of ERA, consultants and particularly that of Parvaiz Maqbool Fazli , Team leader DSC (Design and Supervision consultants) as well of Simplex Infrastructure Limited for making concerted efforts in accelerating the progress of work on the project particularly during last two months.

J&KERA is making all out efforts to ensure the completion of 1st phase of Jehangir chowk-Rambagh expressway corridor from Amar Singh college crossing to Barzulla bridge operational by the targeted date. This was stated to Farooq Ahmad Lone, Chief Executive Officer, JKERA who today inspected the progress of work on the prestigious project.

Satish Razdan, Director Kashmir JKERA informed CEO ERA that work on the project is underway round the clock and 70% progress has been achieved on the project as whole . He further said that work on Amar Singh College –Barzulla bridge section of the expressway has been given further impetus by mobilization of additional workforce and heavy machinery in the sector. Razdan said that work on laying of superstructure component in the sector is almost complete with just 5 slabs remaining to be laid in coming days while as work on allied components like laying of cable for lighting, laying of crash barriers , erecting of view cutters etc is also underway.

CEO ERA appreciated the efforts being made by field staff of ERA, consultants and workforce who are working round the clock for timely completion of the coveted project.

Pertinent to mention here that workforce working on the project that comprise mostly of skilled personnel from outside the state are braving the sub-zero temperatures and are working round the clock on site to ensure completion of 1st phase by the targeted date.

Besides Satish Razdan , Director Kashmir, JKERA , Parvaiz Maqbool Fazli, Team Leader, DSC and other staff members of JKERA and consultants accompanied CEO, JKERA during his visit.