In his maiden visit to the project site of the Tawi Riverfront Development, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo undertook a comprehensive inspection of the ongoing works, accompanied by key officials from various departments. The visit culminated in a strategic meeting held at the Civil Secretariat, addressing critical aspects of the project’s execution and management.
Among the officials accompanying Chief Secretary Dulloo were ACS of the Jal Shakti Department, Shaleen Kabra; Commissioner Secretary of H&UDD, Mandeep Kaur; Divisional Commissioner of Jammu, Ramesh Kumar; Commissioner of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), Rahul Yadav; DC Jammu, Sachin Kumar Vaishya; and Chief Engineer from I&FC/UEED, alongside other pertinent officers and staff.
During the inspection, CS Dulloo meticulously surveyed the barrage site adjacent to the 4th bridge, scrutinizing the progress achieved thus far. He extensively reviewed the project’s blueprints and designs, seeking clarity on the final layout intended for public utilization.
Expressing urgency, the CS emphasized the need to expedite the project’s pace while adhering to the stipulated deadline. He underscored the necessity of delineating a governing authority tasked with overseeing the entirety of the project, including its real estate facet. Additionally, he urged for meticulous planning concerning the reclaimed land portions on both banks and the central island to enhance the project’s overall aesthetic appeal. Dulloo also advocated for a concerted effort to relocate adjacent warehouses, stressing the importance of stakeholder consultation in this regard. He called for seamless coordination between divisional, and district administrations, and the Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL) to facilitate prompt decision-making on pertinent project issues. In the ensuing meeting, updates on the project’s progress were provided by the CEO of JSCL and the Chief Engineer from I&FC. The project, designed with dual objectives of flood mitigation and recreational space creation, comprises construction and real estate development components, each supported by consultancy services.
The construction aspect encompasses various elements such as promenade development, diaphragm walls, retaining walls, anchor slab installation, embankment filling, and interceptor drain laying on both riverbanks and the central island near the 4th bridge. Real estate development involves the creation of recreational, residential, commercial, and green spaces on reclaimed land and adjacent warehouses. Phase 1 entails the construction of embankments stretching approximately 2.7 km on both riverbanks, aiming to create an artificial lake from the Bhagwati Nagar barrage to the Bikram Bridge.
With a total cost of Rs 194.47 Cr for phase 1, the project has achieved significant milestones, boasting over 70% physical progress slated for completion by June. Noteworthy accomplishments include the completion of diaphragm walls, embankment filling, retaining walls, anchor slabs, and pier protection works. The meeting also deliberated on critical issues such as nallah diversion, monetization strategies, proposed land use, lease periods, and the establishment of an authority for real estate development, underscoring the project’s multifaceted operational and managerial challenges.
