Jammu, April 3, 2025 — Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the progress of the World Bank-funded Jhelum & Tawi Flood Recovery Project , a critical initiative aimed at restoring infrastructure damaged in the 2014 floods across Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting, held at the Civil Secretariat, featured a comprehensive update from Aijaz Asad, CEO of the Economic Reconstruction Agency , highlighting key milestones and ongoing efforts to meet the project’s extended timeline.
The JTFRP, launched to rebuild public infrastructure and enhance disaster resilience, has made significant strides, with an expenditure of over ₹1,547 crore to date. Dulloo emphasized the importance of timely completion, urging the ERA to maintain strict oversight of ongoing works to ensure quality and adherence to deadlines. He directed the Roads & Buildings Department to enforce penalties or blacklist contractors failing to meet standards, underscoring zero tolerance for delays.
Asad’s presentation detailed the completion of 186 out of 213 sub-projects, including schools, hospitals, roads, and bridges designed to withstand future floods and earthquakes. Notable achievements include the fully operational 160-bed Bone & Joint Hospital block and the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system for 45 dewatering stations in Srinagar, enhancing flood management capabilities. The new block of Lalla Ded Hospital is on track for completion by August 2026, while five bridges in North Kashmir are slated for completion by December 2025.
The meeting also addressed challenges, such as delays in the State Emergency Operation Centre at Humhama, where re-tendering is underway following contractor issues. Dulloo stressed inter-departmental coordination to optimise the use of approximately ₹140 crore in project savings, prioritizing urgent needs in health, education, and disaster management. Discussions included flood mitigation studies for the Jhelum and Tawi river basins and consultancy services for tourism development under the SPREAD program.
Attended by senior officials, including the Secretary of PWD, Commissioner of Srinagar Municipal Corporation, and Chief Engineer of R&B Central Kashmir, the meeting reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to leveraging the World Bank’s extension until August 2026 to complete all pending projects. The JTFRP continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening Jammu and Kashmir’s resilience, ensuring sustainable infrastructure and improved livelihoods for its people.