Div Com Kashmir Fast-tracks Jhelum Water Transport Project; Sets Deadlines for Utility Shifting

SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 19: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, alongside the Secretary of the Transport Department, chaired a high-level review meeting today to accelerate the Jhelum Water Transport Project. Focusing on the preparation of cost estimates for essential utility interventions, the Div Com emphasized that clearing technical bottlenecks is a priority for restoring the river as a viable transit corridor. The meeting saw participation from Deputy Commissioners across six districts—Srinagar, Budgam, Anantnag, Pulwama, Ganderbal, and Bandipora—as well as top officials from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), power corporations, and the R&B and PHE departments.

During the session, Commissioner Garg established strict timelines for addressing infrastructure hurdles that currently impede the waterway’s development. He specifically directed engineering teams to submit detailed cost estimates within the coming weeks for critical tasks, such as the removal of redundant cofferdams and the height adjustment of 33KV and 11KV overhead power lines to ensure safe vessel clearance. Regarding logistics and infrastructure, the meeting reviewed the status of land possession for eight designated sites along the river. Officials confirmed that seven of these locations have already been successfully secured, with the final site currently undergoing community mediation to resolve outstanding local concerns and finalize the project’s footprint.