Schemes worth Rs 35.64 cr to benefit over 5,600 households
SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 6: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, Tuesday e-inaugurated 10 Water Supply Schemes in Lolab Constituency, completed at a total cost of ₹35.64 crore benefiting 5,662 households across various villages.
The schemes, executed by the Jal Shakti PHE Division Kupwara, are aimed at strengthening the drinking water infrastructure and ensuring improved access to safe, reliable and sustainable water supply for people in the constituency.
Speaking on the occasion, Javed Rana said that the Omar Abdullah-led Government is committed to the welfare and well-being of the people, with a focused approach towards strengthening the basic infrastructure and improving delivery of essential public services.
“The Omar Abdullah-led government is committed to improve the quality of life of people by ensuring that the benefits of development reach every household. Our focus is on strengthening the essential infrastructure and delivering reliable public services at the grassroots,” the Minister said.
He said that access to safe and reliable drinking water is fundamental to the well-being and dignity of every household. He added that the government has accorded priority to the expansion, augmentation and timely completion of water supply schemes across Jammu and Kashmir.
Rana said the e-inauguration of the 10 schemes in Lolab marks an important step towards strengthening the water supply network in the constituency and providing improved drinking water facilities to thousands of households.
“Our objective is not merely to create infrastructure but to ensure that every completed scheme delivers the intended benefits to the people. We will continue to work with a people-centric approach so that every household gets access to essential services in a reliable and sustainable manner,” he added.
The inaugurated schemes included WSS Khabuth Dar Mohalla, costing ₹1.08 crore and covering 93 households in Maindanpora; WSS Dever Anderbugh, costing ₹3.50 crore and benefiting 1,400 households in Dever and Anderbugh; WSS Gangbugh, costing ₹3.77 crore and covering 450 households in Sogam and WSS Krusen, costing ₹4.67 crore and benefiting 626 households in Krusen.
Similarly, WSS Walkhul, constructed at a cost of ₹4.25 crore, covers 200 households in Tekipora, while WSS Gadwah costing ₹0.92 crore caters to 91 households in Sewer Thendipora. WSS Kawari Harden Sewer, costing ₹3.79 crore, covers 900 households in Sewer Thendipora, while WSS Mergi, costing ₹0.90 crore, benefits 250 households in Dever Anderbugh. Likewise, WSS Gundmacher constructed at an estimated cost of ₹2.95 crore, covers 452 households in Rekh Muchwari and Rakhi Gundmacher. Besides, WSS Surigam Wavoor Bon Maidanpora has been completed at a cost of ₹9.81 crore which covers 1,200 households in Surigam, Wavoora and Maidanpora.
The Minister directed the concerned officers to ensure proper operation and maintenance of the completed schemes so that the intended benefits are sustained and reach the targeted households effectively. He also stressed the need for close monitoring of ongoing water supply projects, timely completion of works and optimum utilisation of public resources, while directing officers to maintain regular field-level oversight of the schemes.
The e-inauguration marks a significant step towards strengthening drinking water infrastructure in Lolab and ensuring improved access to essential public services for the people of the constituency. He said that he would soon visit the constituency to review the functioning of the inaugurated schemes and take stock of the progress of other schemes currently under execution.
MLA Lolab, Qaisar Jamshaid Lone, thanked the Minister for his consistent support and personal attention to the development of the constituency. He said that many villages would, for the first time, witness the dawn of piped water supply, marking a historic milestone for the people of the area. He conveyed his deep appreciation to the Minister and the Department for the timely completion of these schemes, which he described as a significant step towards fulfilling a long-standing public demand.
It is pertinent to mention that, despite financial constraints, around 30 water supply schemes of the Jal Shakti Department are ready for inauguration across Kashmir, including in Kulgam, Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam and Kupwara. These schemes are expected to be made operational in the near future.
Taking note of the readiness of these schemes, Minister Javed Rana directed the concerned officers to expedite the remaining works and complete all necessary formalities for their early commissioning. He stressed that the completed water supply infrastructure should be put to use at the earliest so that the intended benefits reach the people without any further delay.
Of these schemes, 10 have been taken up under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) at a cost of ₹64.78 crore, 14 under NABARD at ₹59.69 crore, three under UT Capex at ₹11.95 crore and one under AMRUT 2.0 at ₹1.41 crore.
