Jammu: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology and Environment, and Tribal Affairs Javed Ahmed Rana on Friday directed officials to expedite ongoing drinking water, irrigation and flood-control works across Jammu division, with priority given to projects nearing completion before the onset of winter.
Rana issued the directions while chairing a review meeting at the Civil Secretariat in Jammu to assess the physical and financial progress of schemes being implemented by the Jal Shakti Department and the Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department.
During the meeting, officials briefed the minister on the status of ongoing projects, achievements recorded so far, implementation-related bottlenecks and expenditure against funds sanctioned and allocated for various works.
Reviewing the Jal Shakti Department’s progress, Rana directed officials to prioritise incomplete drinking water supply schemes and make every effort to commission them at the earliest. He stressed the need for advance functional testing of pipelines, pumping arrangements, storage tanks and associated infrastructure to identify and rectify technical deficiencies before commissioning.
He said timely testing and corrective measures were necessary to ensure the smooth commissioning of schemes and a reliable drinking water supply to people.
The minister also directed officials to strengthen field-level monitoring through regular inspections, particularly of projects at advanced stages of completion, to ensure compliance with approved timelines and quality standards.
Reviewing the I&FC Department’s works, Rana called for the priority completion of desilting of water channels and the strengthening of flood-protection infrastructure and embankments along vulnerable stretches.
He directed the concerned officers to submit a comprehensive river-wise status report detailing the progress of flood-protection works. Emphasising the need for focused attention on vulnerable areas, he called for the timely execution of essential protective measures.
The minister also reviewed works being implemented under the Capex and Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) schemes. He directed officials to accelerate execution, ensure timely utilisation of allocated funds and remove bottlenecks affecting the progress of projects.
He stressed that all works under these schemes must meet prescribed timelines and quality standards, with regular monitoring to assess progress on the ground.
Emphasising financial discipline and accountability, Rana said physical progress must keep pace with financial expenditure. He directed officials to ensure the judicious and transparent utilisation of funds allocated for developmental works within the prescribed timelines.
