JAMMU, SEPTEMBER 17: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, today laid the foundation stones for the restoration of 93 water supply schemes across Jammu East and Nagrota constituencies, worth ₹11.29 crore, and a riverbank protection work on the Tawi near Government Degree College, Sidhra, worth ₹3.40 crore.
The 93 water supply schemes were damaged during the August-September 2025 floods, affecting water supply infrastructure in several areas. Their restoration is being taken up under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) Disaster Mitigation scheme at an estimated cost of ₹11.29 crore. The project aims to restore the damaged infrastructure and strengthen the resilience of water supply systems against future flood-related disruptions, ensuring reliable and uninterrupted drinking water supply to the affected communities.
Rana also laid the foundation stone for a ₹3.40 crore Tawi river-bank protection work near Government Degree College, Sidhra, under the SASCI scheme. The project strengthen the riverbank and protect adjoining areas from erosion and flood-related damage.
“Flood protection is not just about responding to disasters; it is about preparing our infrastructure and communities before disaster strikes. Our focus is on strengthening vulnerable areas, restoring damaged infrastructure and building systems that can withstand future floods,” Rana said.
The foundation stone-laying ceremony was attended by MLA Nagrota Devyani Rana, MLA Jammu East Yudhvir Sethi, senior officers of the Jal Shakti Department, representatives of the local areas and a large gathering of local residents.
While inaugurating WSSs, the Minister said that ensuring safe and dependable drinking water supply to every household remains a top priority of the Government and that the restoration of flood-damaged infrastructure was being pursued on a mission mode to minimise hardship for the affected population. “Access to safe drinking water is a basic necessity and the Government is committed to restoring every scheme damaged in last year’s floods without delay,” he said, adding that the sanctioned works had been specifically identified after a detailed assessment of flood-related damage in the two constituencies.
Rana directed the executing agencies to ensure strict adherence to prescribed quality standards, timely mobilisation of resources and completion of the works within the stipulated timeframe, so that the intended benefits reach the public without unnecessary delay. He further directed regular field-level monitoring and periodic progress reviews to pre-empt execution bottlenecks.
The Minister also underscored the Government’s broader commitment to building climate-resilient public infrastructure across Jammu & Kashmir, stating that restoration efforts were being combined with strengthening measures to make water supply schemes better equipped to withstand future natural calamities. He called for close coordination between the administration, executing departments and elected public representatives to ensure that grievances arising from infrastructure damage are addressed on priority and that development benefits reach every locality within the constituency.
