Avinash Azad
The government provided a detailed account of funds utilization and project implementation under flood management initiatives in the Kashmir Valley, in response to queries raised by MLA Farooq Ahmad Shah.
Kashmir Valley’s Vulnerability to Floods
The government acknowledged that Kashmir has been historically prone to floods, with extreme flood events recorded in 1902, 1959, and 2014. According to official records, 34 notable floods have been witnessed in the Jhelum basin since 1800, indicating an average recurrence of one flood every six years.
Prime Minister’s Sanctioned Flood Management Projects
Addressing the MLA’s question regarding financial allocations for flood management, the government confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had sanctioned two major projects:
Phase-I of the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP-2015):
Sanctioned Amount: Rs. 399.29 Crore
Approved by: Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) in 2015-16
Status: Nearing completion
Impact: Enhanced the carrying capacity of River Jhelum from 31,800 to 41,000 cusecs in the Srinagar reach.
Phase-II (Part-A):
Sanctioned Amount: Rs. 1623.43 Crore
Approved by: Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) in March 2022
Objective: To mitigate flood threats up to 60,000 cusecs
Expenditure Details
In response to the MLA’s demand for an item-wise breakdown of expenditure, the government stated that component-wise spending for Phase-I and Phase-II (Part-A) has been documented.
Status of the Rs. 1600 Crore Project
The government provided updates on the implementation of the Rs. 1600 Crore project, stating:
Expenditure So far Rs.114.293 Crore (Central Assistance)
Ongoing Bank Protection Works
Total Planned: 30
Tendered: 29
Completed: 16
Overall Progress: 80%
Hokersar Wetland Restoration:
Entry & Exit Gates Completed: Costing Rs. 28.45 Crore
Function: Maintain pondage levels (3-4 feet) during the lean season to support the wetland ecosystem and migratory bird habitat
Challenges in Execution:
Flood Spill Channel (FSC) and Outfall Channel (OFC) work delayed due to differing expert reports
Central Water Commission (CWC) report received in December 2024 and is under examination
State Administrative Council’s Sanctioned Rs. 5400 Crore Project
Regarding the Rs. 5400 Crore Comprehensive Flood Management Project, the government disclosed:
– Project Name: Comprehensive Flood Management Works on River Jhelum & its Tributaries – Phase-II.
– DPR Submission: January 17, 2019, to the Department of Water Resources (DoWR), Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS), Government of India.
-CWC Recommendation: To prioritize works into Part A & B due to fund constraints
-State Administrative Council (SAC) Approval:
– In-Principle Approval: June 2019
– Part-A Implementation: Estimated at Rs. 1684.6 Crore, utilizing available funds
– Administrative Approval of Part-A: July 2022, for Rs. 1623.43 Crore
-Funding for Part-B: To be explored separately The government’s detailed response sheds light on fund utilization, ongoing flood mitigation efforts, and bureaucratic hurdles in the implementation of large-scale flood management projects in Kashmir. While some progress has been made, particularly in bank protection and wetland rejuvenation, the delayed execution of critical flood spill and outfall channels remains a major concern. The state and central governments must ensure continued monitoring and timely execution to prevent future flood disasters in the region.
