JAMMU: Minister for Jal Shakti Javed Ahmed Rana today said that the government has undertaken a slew of measures to strengthen the drinking water infrastructure by implementing multiple Water Supply Schemes (WSSs) across both rural and urban areas of the Basohli constituency.
This was stated by the Minister, while replying to a question on water supply schemes raised by MLA Darshan Kumar in the Legislative Assembly.
The Minister said that for the rural population, drinking water supply is being strengthened through 43 water supply schemes, including 42 under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) worth ₹ 242.46 crore and one under NABARD. “Of these, six schemes have been completed while the remaining are at advanced stages of completion,” he said.
The Minister informed the House that for urban areas, water supply is being managed through the existing schemes, which are being further augmented under AMRUT 2.0. He said that under AMRUT 2.0, a project titled “Augmentation and Improvement of Water Supply System in Basohli Town under AMRUT 2.0” has been sanctioned at an estimated cost of ₹12.60 crore to enhance the overall water supply infrastructure.
To ensure uninterrupted access to potable drinking water during the execution phase of these schemes, water is being supplied through the existing systems. Besides, water tankers are being deployed wherever required, he added.
Jal Shakti Minister also provided details about the progress of completed, ongoing and commissioned water supply schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission in the constituency.
He further informed that the government of India has extended the Jal Jeevan Mission timeline up to December 2028. He said that all the pending schemes will be completed within the extended period, adding that strenuous efforts are underway for their completion.
Regarding payments to the contractors, the Minister stated that Call Deposit Receipts (CDRs), Security Deposits and Performance Security amounts are being released strictly in accordance with the terms and conditions of the respective contracts.
