SRINAGAR, JULY 10: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, along with Advisor to Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani today chaired a high-level review meeting at the Civil Secretariat, Srinagar to assess the functioning and progress of the Irrigation and Flood Control (I & FC) sector across Kashmir Division.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti Department, Shaleen Kabra, senior officers of the department and representatives of various wings associated with the irrigation & flood management and PHE.
While addressing the meeting, Javed Rana stressed the need for further strengthening the flood protection infrastructure across Kashmir Valley, particularly along vulnerable stretches of River Jhelum and its tributaries, to enhance resilience against flood-related risks and safeguard the lives, property and public assets.
The Minister reviewed the physical and financial progress achieved under various flood management and mitigation projects. He directed the concerned officers to expedite the execution of ongoing works while ensuring strict adherence to quality standards and stipulated timelines so that all critical interventions are completed ahead of the monsoon season.
Emphasizing the importance of continuous monitoring, inter-departmental coordination and proactive planning, Javed Rana called for a comprehensive and preparedness-driven approach to flood management in the Valley. He instructed the officers to identify and promptly address the bottlenecks hindering the progress of flood protection works. He asked to ensure their timely completion in the larger public interest and for the safety of vulnerable communities.
Rana also emphasized upon prioritizing restoration of defunct irrigation canals, repair of canal breaches and maintenance of irrigation infrastructure across the Valley to ensure uninterrupted water supply to agricultural fields.
Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani underscored the need for a proactive and long-term approach towards flood management in Kashmir. He stressed the importance of strengthening embankments, enhancing river carrying capacity and ensuring timely execution of flood protection works. He called for improved preparedness, regular maintenance of flood channels and greater inter-departmental coordination to safeguard vulnerable areas and minimise the impact of future flood events.
He emphasised the need for sustainable water use and the importance of rain water harvesting through installation and use of water storage tanks.
During the review, a detailed presentation was given on the measures undertaken to mitigate the flood risks across vulnerable areas and the progress achieved under various ongoing schemes and projects. The presentation highlighted the status of desilting and dredging operations, strengthening and restoration of embankments, construction of flood protection works. It also covered the physical and financial progress of various flood management projects being executed under different schemes and funding components.
The officers apprised of the status of irrigation infrastructure, water discharge levels and measures being taken to meet the requirements of farmers across the Valley.
The Minister was informed that under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) launched in the aftermath of the devastating 2014 floods, under PMDP Phase-I, most works for flood management and restoration have been substantially completed. Accordingly, Phase-II (Part-A), involving works worth ₹1,623.43 crore under the Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP), is under implementation from FY 2022-23.
The meeting also reviewed the safety audit of embankments along River Jhelum and assessed the progress achieved under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) Phase-II. Progress of ongoing projects being executed under the UT Capex Budget, NABARD and SASCI Disaster Component was also reviewed threadbare.
Regarding the initiatives after September 2025, in view of the persistent flood threat posed by River Jhelum and to strengthen preparedness for the forthcoming monsoon season, it was informed that the department had initiated a comprehensive post-monsoon safety audit in October 2025 to assess the vulnerabilities and identify critical intervention points.
Based on the findings of the audit, 62 flood mitigation works were identified at an estimated cost of Rs 71.56 crore. Of these, 16 works involving an expenditure of Rs 27.31 crore were completed under the ongoing FMBAP, Regular UT Capex and DMRRR (UT Capex) programmes. The remaining 46 works were tendered under MH-4711 (Flood Sector–UT Capex) at an estimated cost of Rs 43.25 crore. So far, 28 works have been completed, while eight others are in advanced stages of completion, significantly enhancing the flood protection infrastructure along the river system.
Under the UT CAPEX Budget 2026–27, the Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Kashmir sector recorded substantial progress across major irrigation, minor irrigation and flood control sectors.
For the financial year 2026–27, the department has taken up 129 works for execution, comprising 124 ongoing works and five new works. It was also given out that sector-wise, the department has taken up 20 Major Irrigation works, 46 Minor Irrigation works, and 63 Flood Control works, reflecting the government’s continued focus on strengthening irrigation infrastructure and flood management across Kashmir Division.
Under the NABARD-supported infrastructure programme, several key irrigation and flood management projects were completed during 2025–26, aimed at strengthening the water resources infrastructure and improving irrigation potential across Kashmir Division.
The major projects completed included construction/remodelling of Wussan Khul in Baramulla district at an estimated cost of Rs 6.50 crore, construction of a Lift Irrigation Scheme for augmentation of water supplies to New Reshi Khul and Dehgam Khul in Bandipora district at a cost of Rs 7.37 crore, improvement and Upgradation of Ahal Nayan Canal in Ganderbal district at an estimated cost of Rs 4.61 crore. Other works included flood protection and improvement works on Karz Nallah near Commerce Point on River Jhelum at Marhama in Anantnag district at a cost of Rs 2.19 crore.
