J-K LG reviews Jammu lake project, says administration will expedite works

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu reviewed the progress of a number of projects in the winter capital of the Union territory on Friday and said the administration will expedite the works. He visited the market place and tourism reception centre to assess the facilities there. During a visit to the Tawi river bank the L-G was briefed by Ajeet Sahu, the principal secretary of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, about the progress of its beautification project and the Jammu lake project.

During his visits, Murmu was accompanied by top divisional-level officials and heads of departments. Asserting that the administration was trying to expedite the projects, the L-G said, "We don't know what had happened in the past, but we will carry it from Jammu and see to it that these are completed."

In June last year, the Jammu and Kashmir government had cancelled GR Infra Projects Limited's contract for developing the artificial Tawi lake. The administration is set to release fresh tenders to resume work. A revised detailed project report was framed, according to which Rs 51.57 crore shall be required to complete the project and Rs 4.97 crore to undo the damage caused due to floods till date, officials said.

READ | Punjab Govt Set To Move Resolution Against CAA In State Assembly

The project, launched in 2009 by the Congress-NC government, was marred by delays and missed six deadlines before work came to a standstill in 2018.

As per the project plan, an auto-mechanical barrage would be constructed on the river Tawi, one kilometre downstream of main Tawi bridge. This will help create an artificial lake at Belicharana. The 1,500-metre-long and 600-metre-wide artificial lake, a first-of-its-kind in Jammu, will give a new dimension to tourism in Jammu city, officials said.

In phase-II of the project, beautification and embankment works are to be taken up under Tawi River Front Development Project for which an MoU has already been signed by Jammu Development Authority (JDA) with the Sabarmati River Front Development Corporation.

Before beginning the tour Murmu paid obeisance at the famous Raghunath temple in the morning.

READ | 'Military Commander Has No Business Saying This': Yechury Condemns CDS Gen Rawat's Remark

READ | Sisodia Does Not Have Car On His Name: Affidavit For Delhi Polls