JAMMU: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar today maintained that Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) is a flagship program and needs speedy implementation across Jammu and Kashmir.

The Advisor made these remarks while chairing a meet to review the progress of ongoing works under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and CAPEX for the year 2022-23 at the Civil Secretariat here.

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, Jal Shakti Department, Shaleen Kabra; Mission Director, JJM, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah; Special Secretary, Jal Shakti, Director Finance, Jal Shakti, Chief Engineer, PHE Jammu/Kashmir, Chief Engineer, I&FC Jammu/Kashmir, Chief Engineer RTIC, Superintending Engineers and other concerned officials both in person and through video.

During the meeting, the Advisor held detailed assessment on Physical and Financial achievements made under CSS/CAPEX/NABARD/PMDP for the Financial year 2022-23. The Advisor also reviewed the status of JJM works and the infrastructure proposed under the scheme.

Speaking during the meeting, Advisor Bhatnagar impressed upon the officers that the pace of ongoing works shouldn't be slowed down due to routine impediments like weather or other things and due efforts should be made to achieve the objectives of JJM. He impressed upon the officers that there should be no scope for laxity in implementation of JJM as it is a flagship programme and caters to essential requirement of clean adequate water straight to each and every household.

While reviewing the status of major works under JJM, Advisor Bhatnagar enjoined upon the officers that tendering of works should be expedited and timely allotment of works is imperative The Advisor called for encouraging wide participation of contractors and for giving wide publicity to tenders so that maximum people participate in them.

Assessing the status of detailed project reports (DPRs) and approval of works, Advisor Bhatnagar instructed the executing agencies to practise due diligence before project planning and asked them that all the bottle necks and hindrances in projects should be removed in coordination with other departments for speedy execution and timely completion of works. He directed them to ensure that contractors possesses necessary machinery for undertaking projects of this magnitude.

For timely completion of projects, the Advisor directed the respective officers that month-wise progress reports as well as plans for fresh works should be submitted to the department. He also called upon them to use Project Management Softwares for effective implementation of this prestigious mission.

During the meeting, Advisor Bhatnagar also reviewed the status of individual Water Supply Schemes (WSS) at various stages of their completion across Jammu and Kashmir. He also reviewed the progress of other projects like the Shahpur Kandi Dam, Ujh Multipurpose Project and River Jehlum Tributaries project.

The Advisor remarked that these projects are of great importance for entire J&K and due commitment should be maintained to complete these projects within the given timelines.

During the meeting, MD, JJM gave a detailed presentation on the progress achieved till date in the implementation of mission across Jammu and Kashmir.