Connectivity projects taking waters off middle mountains

Ramban, Reasi villages hit by rail, road projects

BIVEK MATHUR

JAMMU: The construction of railways and four-laning of tunnels, is adversely affecting the traditional water sources in the middle mountains of Jammu and Kashmir, state government admitted today.
"Some traditional water sources have been affected due to the construction of Railways and four-laning of tunnels in District Reasi and Ramban," government said in reply to a starred question of MLA Banihal, Vikar Rasool Wani.
However, government said that for affected water sources in Reasi district, Railway Authorities have paid compensation, which government said, it will use to tap the alternative water sources.
"In District Reasi, funds to the tune of Rs 2.93 Crore stands received from Railway Authorities as compensation," Government said, adding, "For District Ramban, DPR amounting to Rs 4.56 Crore stands submitted to the concerned construction companies through District Development Commissioner (DDC), Ramban for tapping alternate sources of water supply schemes affected by the construction activities."
"However, no funds have been received so far from companies executing tunnel construction works," government reply reads.
According to Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Rs 25 lakh are required to restore Nowgam Water Supply Scheme, Rs 48 lakh for restoration of Chapnari/Amkoot Thachi WSS, Rs 1.71 Crore to restore Khari WSS, Rs 81 lakh for Sumber WSS and Rs 1.31 Crore to restore the Manjoose WSS in the twin districts.
"For Bankoot and Thether Water Supply Schemes (WSSs), the estimates of requirement of funds are under preparation," the PHE Minister said.
In reply of the starred question of the Congress legislator from Banihal, the minister concerned also replied that a DPR amounting to Rs 4.31 Crore for tapping alternative and additional water sources stand submitted to the DDC Ramban as the existing sources have been depleted due to construction of tunnels by the Railway Authorities in Sumber, Khari, Amkote Thachi, and Chapnari.
"Another estimate amounting to Rs 25 lakh has been submitted to DDC, Ramban for tapping altenative source at Nowgam as the original source has been depleted due to the construction of four-laning of tunnel by "NAVYUGA" construction company," the minister concerned replied.