Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired review meeting to assess the progress of the remaining works under the Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) and directed all concerned departments to ensure strict adherence to timelines, stating categorically that the current extension is final and no lapses will be tolerated.

The meeting was attended by the Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works Department; Principal Secretary, Home; Secretary, Health & Medical Education; Director General, Budget; Managing Director, JKMSCL; Chief Executive Officer, J&K Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA); Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, and other senior officers.

During the meeting, the Chief Secretary undertook a project-wise review of all ongoing works, with particular emphasis on the expeditious operationalisation of the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) at Humhama, completion of the additional block at Lal Ded (LD) Hospital, and the critical care infrastructure proposed to be procured by the Health Department out of savings under JTFRP.

He stressed that procurement of equipment must proceed simultaneously with infrastructure creation so that the overall deadline of August 2026 is met without compromise. To ensure close supervision, the Chief Secretary directed that each work be assigned to a designated Executive Engineer, with daily monitoring at the field level and weekly progress reports to be submitted directly to him.

Reiterating the importance of departmental ownership, the Chief Secretary impressed upon the Public Works Department and Health & Medical Education Department to intensify monitoring at their respective levels and ensure that both construction and procurement activities progress at a satisfactory pace.

Providing details, Secretary, Health & Medical Education, Dr. Syed Abid Rashid Shah, informed the meeting that the department plans to significantly augment critical care infrastructure using savings under JTFRP. He stated that, in addition to around 100 Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances, the department will procure 100 ventilators, 250 multipurpose monitors, 100 portable ultrasound machines, 50 handheld X-ray units, along with other essential medical equipment.

Briefing the meeting on project execution, CEO, J&K ERA, Ms. Shreya Singhal, informed that construction of the additional block at LD Hospital is currently underway and is expected to be completed within the stipulated timeline. She added that to fast-track progress, pre-engineered structural components are being fabricated in Haryana and will be installed at the site.

On the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), the meeting was informed that the project has achieved around 80 per cent progress in civil works and 35 per cent in electromechanical works, with remaining components being expedited to ensure timely completion.

The meeting was further apprised that JKMSCL is going to accelerate procurement of additional equipment for the Bone & Joint Hospital, along with other critical care equipment and ambulances, to ensure full readiness within the stipulated timeframe.

Regarding bridge projects in Baramulla district, it was informed that construction of five bridges at Shrakawara, Wahdina, Waza Mohallah (Kreeri), Wagoora, and Trikolbal Pattan has reached an advanced stage and is targeted for completion by March this year.

It was also informed that consultancy services for preparation of the feasibility study and Detailed Project Report (DPR) for flood mitigation and comprehensive river management of the Jhelum and Tawi river basins are progressing satisfactorily and are expected to be completed as per schedule.

Reiterating the significance of JTFRP in strengthening disaster resilience, the Chief Secretary underscored the need for continuous monitoring, seamless inter-departmental coordination, and proactive resolution of bottlenecks for timely completion of all these projects.