Avinash Azad
In a recent assembly session, Sham Lal Sharma, MLA, Jammu North Assembly constituency raised a critical query regarding the long-pending proposal to lift 200 cusecs of drinking water from the Chenab River for Jammu City. Sharma questioned the government on the project’s origin, current status, and the anticipated timeline for its completion.
According to official sources, the proposal was initially conceived during the year 2009-10 to address the growing water scarcity in Jammu City. Subsequently, in 2013-14, the project was presented to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) with an estimated cost of Rs. 885 crore. However, following an ADB mission visit in June 2013, the bank advised the Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency (JKERA) to exclude the project from its funding portfolio.
Despite this setback, efforts to revive the project continued. In August 2022, a revised estimate amounting to Rs. 1276 crore was prepared to accommodate the escalating costs and updated infrastructural requirements. However, the revised proposal has not progressed further due to the unavailability of a funding agency.
The lack of financial backing has left the project in limbo, raising concerns among residents about the future of Jammu City’s water supply. With the region’s population steadily increasing, the demand for a sustainable and reliable water source has become more urgent.
Sham Lal Sharma emphasized the need for swift action, urging the government to secure funding and expedite the project’s implementation. “This project is crucial for the people of Jammu. Delays will only exacerbate the water crisis. The government must prioritize this essential infrastructure,” Sharma stated. As of now, the government has not provided a definitive timeline for the project’s completion. The delay in securing funds has raised questions about the administration’s commitment to addressing Jammu City’s critical water needs. Citizens and stakeholders continue to await a resolution as the project remains stalled in the planning phase.
