Phase-II progress slow
Falak Bilal
Srinagar, Feb 23: More than a decade after the devastating 2014 floods, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has spent over ₹487 crore on strengthening flood management systems across the Valley, with a focus on improving river capacity, embankments, and critical infrastructure.
Officials from the Jal Shakti Department said the funds have been utilised under different phases of a long-term flood mitigation programme aimed at reducing the impact of future disasters.
The large-scale overhaul was initiated following the catastrophic 2014 deluge, after which the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation constituted an expert group to design a structured flood control roadmap. The plan divided interventions into immediate, short-term, and long-term measures.
Under Phase-I of the programme—implemented as part of the Prime Minister’s Development Package—projects worth ₹399.29 crore were sanctioned, out of which ₹327.04 crore has already been spent. The phase is largely complete and has significantly enhanced the carrying capacity of the Jhelum River and the Flood Spill Channel.
According to officials, the river’s carrying capacity in the Srinagar stretch has increased from 31,800 to 41,000 cusecs, marking a 22 percent rise. Additionally, bottlenecks at key points such as Shariefabad and Nadihal were cleared, doubling the spill channel’s capacity.
Immediate measures taken after the floods included restoration of 4,555 vulnerable and breach points, with a mix of temporary and permanent repairs funded through disaster relief allocations.
However, progress under Phase-II (Part A) has been comparatively slow. Against a sanctioned outlay of ₹1,623.43 crore approved in 2022, only ₹220.97 crore has been released so far, with an expenditure of ₹160.56 crore.
Phase-II includes 31 bank protection and anti-erosion works, of which 16 have been completed to date. Authorities also confirmed the completion and commissioning of two regulatory gates at the Hokersar wetland to improve water flow management.
Officials said flood control efforts are being executed in a phased manner, with continued focus on strengthening infrastructure to safeguard lives and property in flood-prone areas of the Valley.
