Water Crisis: ADB team visiting next month to review Rs 300 Cr demand by ERA

TNN Bureau. Updated: 6/25/2019 11:07:23 AM Front Page

ARVIND SHARMA

JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) has sent a proposal of Rs 300 crores for funding to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to undertake different works and put in place requisite infrastructure to improve the water scenario in Jammu region, which worsens every subsequent summer season and invites public wrath, official sources informed.
The requisition for developing infrastructure and undertake different works was sent to the ERA by PHE Department to overcome water shortage.
The ADB sought fund requisition from ERA under Loan-III (phase-III) as works under loan-II have been completed, official sources informed The News Now.
“We have forwarded the proposal to ADB for funding under Loan-III (phase III) and the ADB team is most likely to visit Jammu next month to review fund allocation besides assessing requirements,” a senior official in ERA informed The News Now, while wishing not to be named.
The ADB team was earlier scheduled to visit Jammu in April to review fund allocation under Loan-III (phase-III) but the visit was cancelled due to some reasons.
The ADB team is now scheduled to visit Jammu next month in July, sources said.
“Apart from reviewing issuance of funds under Loan-iii, the ADB team will also review Project Completion Report (PCR) under loan-ii, the works for which have been completed,” sources said.
The funds under next Loan (phase) are sanctioned by ADB only after completion of works under previous Loan (phase).
“We will soon hire a consultancy firm to prepare Detailed Project Reports of different works and infrastructure development to be undertaken under Loan-III and funded by ADB,” SE, ERA (Hydraulics), Manjeet Kotwal confirmed The News Now, when contacted adding, “ADB had sought requisition for funding under Loan-III (phase-III) which we have submitted”.
Under Loan-III, the ERA has proposed to construct 40 new tube wells, 40 Over Head Tanks (OHTs), replacement of old water supply pipes, augmenting capacity of pumping stations and filtration plants, developing infrastructure besides other works, sources informed.
Under Loan-III funding from ADB, ERA will also undertake works to improve water scenario in rural areas of Jammu region by executing different works under various centrally sponsored schemes, sources said.
It may be mentioned that, at present, Jammu urban has been facing a shortage of around 10 MGD of water per day and the shortfall is expected to deepen further with rise in mercury during the current summer season.


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