news details |
|
|
| Finding hard to complete formalities of ADB, Govt likely to approach Japan for funding | | Chenab water supply scheme for Greater Jammu | | Akshay Azad
JAMMU, Sept 25: The J&K Government is likely to approach Japan to get advance loan for Chenab Water supply scheme, envisaged by the Government to solve growing future demand of potable water for Greater Jammu.
Sources informed Early Times that State Government had directed Public Health Engineering department and Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) to initiate process to get advance loan for the prestigious project.
Earlier the Jammu and Kashmir State Government had approached Asian Development Bank (ADB) to finance the project, which was proposed to be executed in two phases. In the first phase, which envisaged an investment of 492 crores, the project will see the water being pumped from Chenab river.
Sources said that the project was being executed by ERA and as per ADB guidelines the State Government would have to submit EIA report to ADB, after assessing the impacts 30 kilometers downstream the river Chenab from Akhnoor bridge.
"To conduct the studies, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has to take permission of Pakistan Government as from Akhnoor bridge towards downstream nearly 12 kilometers area falls under the Indian territory and rest of area is in Pakistan territory", sources said.
"The ADB had sought fulfillment of all requisite conditions for advancing loan. These conditions are reportedly drawn keeping in mind that ADB does not want to support any project that is likely to cause harm or economic damage to those connected with water resource activity. In particular it wants to be assured that lifting of water from Chenab is not going to have adverse impact on fishermen up or downstream. It also would want to know the impact of lifting of water on the fisheries if these are maintained. Likewise it would also like to know the impact on the neighbouring country to which the water of the river ultimately flows", sources said.
They said that the Project Management Consultant wing of ERA, was asked to find out ways to complete the EIR report after studying the impact on Pakistan side but the ERA has been finding it difficult to conduct the studies as it also needs permission from Pakistan side.
Sources said that Asian Development Bank would not fund the project until the EIR would be submitted and accepted by ADB and finding it difficult to complete the EIR report, it has been reported that State Government has decided to approach Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), for getting advance loan.
They said that the State Government has already given instructions for exploring the options to get loan from JICA for funding the project.
Chief Engineer of PHE, Susheel K Aima said that it was decided in a high level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, to initiate process to approach Japan for financing the project, as ADB had not agreed to fund the project.
Pertinently, the first phase of the project would augment drinking water supply in the areas of Roop Nagar, Bantalab, New Plot, Subash Nagar, Janipur, Rehari, Sarwal, Chinoor, Muthi, Durga Nagar, Keran, Paloura, Narwal, Gandhi Nagar, Trikuta Nagar, Shastri Nagar and Channi-Himat. It will also augment drinking water supply to Bahu area, Bathendi, Rajeev Nagar, Doongain, Karyani, Nowabad, Sujawan, Delli, Sainik Colony and some other areas.
The phase will see construction of intake structure near Akhnoor bridge down the stream of Chenab river, a 225 MLD water treatment plant at Gurapattan, 20.5 kilometers pipe length of 1800 mm diameter besides pumping station and other distribution pipe lines and rising means. The first phase will be completed within three years.
The second phase envisages an investment of Rs 403 crore and will see construction of another 225 MLD water treatment plant, pipe lengths and other installations. The State Government has put the projected population of Greater Jammu at 19.19 lakh in 2026 and at 31.96 lakh in 2041. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
