BANDIPORA: Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Bandipora, Nizam Ud Din Bhat, today convened a meeting here to review the functioning and progress of the Jal Shakti Department in the Bandipora Assembly Constituency, with particular focus on implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), water supply infrastructure, irrigation and flood management works, and the financial and physical progress of various schemes.
Among others, the meeting was attended by Superintending Engineer, Er. Anbreena Anjum; Executive Engineer PHE Bandipora, Er. Mudasir Malik; Executive Engineer I&FC Sumbal, Umar Jan Bhat; Executive Engineer PHE Sopore, Er. Mudasir Mushtaq and other concerned officers.
The department presented a detailed status of works and schemes being implemented under the PHE and I&FC sectors in the constituency.
Reviewing the progress under Jal Jeevan Mission, it was informed that a total of 57 schemes are being implemented in the Bandipora Assembly Constituency, of which 23 schemes have been completed.
Against a target of 24,736 Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs), 21,187 connections have been provided, achieving an overall coverage of 85.65 percent. The Hydraulic Division Bandipora has achieved 80 percent coverage, while PHE Division Sopore, covering parts of Bandipora district, has achieved 95 percent coverage.
While reviewing the status of water quality monitoring, it was informed that 84 Field Test Kits (FTKs) are available across all 84 Gram Panchayats falling within the constituency, ensuring coverage for water quality testing at the grassroots level.
The meeting also reviewed the financial progress of Jal Shakti works. The department informed that the overall expenditure against releases under the PHE sector stood at 98.88 percent, reflecting substantial utilisation of available funds.
Under the I&FC sector, the meeting was apprised of the status of various works being executed under NABARD, UT CAPEX/SASCI, FMBAP Phase-II, PMKSY (AIBP), District CAPEX and other schemes. The review also covered ongoing works related to flood protection, drainage, irrigation and strengthening of water infrastructure.
The department further briefed the MLA about works taken up under UT CAPEX 2026-27, including strengthening and re-sectioning of the Gadder Spill Channel, construction and strengthening of embankments along Tangwani Nallah, construction of flumes and lining works on Pir Khul and War Khul, besides several irrigation and protection works in the Sumbal area.
During the review, Nizam Ud Din Bhat directed the concerned officers to ensure timely completion of all ongoing works, particularly those having a direct bearing on drinking water supply, irrigation and flood protection. He stressed the need for close monitoring of works at the field level and directed officers to remove bottlenecks, wherever identified, so that projects do not face avoidable delays.
The MLA also called for expediting the remaining works under Jal Jeevan Mission and achieving saturation of Functional Household Tap Connections at the earliest, while maintaining quality standards and ensuring reliable and sustainable water supply to households.
He directed the department to undertake regular field inspections and effective monitoring of the quality of works, besides ensuring optimum utilisation of allocated funds. He further emphasised that developmental works should be executed strictly as per approved specifications and timelines, with due focus on public convenience.
Bhat also stressed the importance of strengthening flood protection and irrigation infrastructure, particularly in vulnerable areas, and directed the officers to maintain close coordination with field agencies and local stakeholders for timely response to emerging requirements.
The MLA underscored that drinking water supply, irrigation and flood management are essential public services, and called upon the officers to work with greater coordination, accountability and responsiveness to address the genuine concerns of the people.
The meeting concluded with directions to the concerned officers to maintain sustained follow-up of all ongoing schemes and submit regular progress updates, ensuring that the benefits of government programmes reach the people in a time-bound manner.
