Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the progress of the Tawi Artificial Lake and Riverfront Development Project in Jammu.
The meeting was attended by the Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti Department; Commissioner Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department (H&UDD); Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; Commissioner Secretary, Law; Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC); Deputy Commissioner, Jammu; Chief Engineer, PWD/UEED; and other concerned officers.
The Chief Secretary undertook a detailed assessment of both completed and ongoing works, including new initiatives aimed at enhancing the project’s aesthetic appeal and public utility.
He also reviewed restoration works necessitated by damages caused during last year’s flash floods. Stressing the importance of timely completion, he directed all concerned departments to ensure that this major city beautification project is dedicated to the public at the earliest, with all requisite amenities in place.
Reviewing the progress of the Tawi Barrage (Artificial Lake), Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti Department, Shaleen Kabra informed that all 31 gates including 11 at Waddi Tawi and 20 at Nikki Tawi have largely been installed, with hydromechanical works nearing completion.
He detailed out that the electrical works, including transformers had seen the progress of around 70% while that of HT/LT panels has witnessed completion status of 60%. Similarly he added that the main distribution panels (80%), and SCADA systems (50%), are at advanced stages. Civil works such as piers, cement concrete blocks, toe walls, gabions, and the control room building (98% complete) are nearing completion, although some components at Nikki Tawi are still in progress.
He further informed that the remaining works required for operationalisation of barrage gates, including embedded components and concreting of service gate grooves, are targeted for completion by the month end.Commissioner Secretary, H&UDD, Mandeep Kaur informed that Phase-1 (Part A) of the riverfront project has been completed. This phase includes the development of a 2.7 km-long four-level promenade and 2.5 km of interceptor drains, resulting in the reclamation of approximately 440 kanals of land.
Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Ramesh Kumar apprised the meeting that construction of a four-lane road on the right bank is progressing steadily. The project includes a 35-metre span RCC bridge over the Ranbir Canal and Distributary-9, with 50% physical and 33% financial progress achieved so far.
He made out that the road will connect Bhagwati Nagar rotary with Bikram Chowk and is expected to significantly ease congestion along the Canal Road-Jewel Chowk corridor. Protection works, drainage, and underground utility provisions are also included in this component, he apprised the meeting.
