Srinagar, Aug 16 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Sunday directed departments to expedite the formulation and execution of projects under the Rs 1,579.09-crore disaster recovery package approved by the Centre, while ensuring that reconstructed assets are made resilient to future disasters.
Dulloo reviewed the implementation of the Recovery and Reconstruction (R&R) Plan-2025 and utilisation of assistance sanctioned under the NDRF/SDRF R&R funding window at a meeting attended by senior officers, including administrative secretaries and divisional commissioners. Deputy commissioners of all 20 districts joined the meeting virtually.
The package includes Rs 1,534.58 crore approved for the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) covering damage caused by floods, cloudbursts, landslides and other disasters, besides Rs 44.52 crore for a dedicated recovery plan for Ramban district following the April 2025 cloudburst and flash floods.
Departments have so far prepared costed action plans worth Rs 1,225.78 crore, leaving Rs 353.31 crore to be operationalised by the Jal Shakti and Agriculture sectors, officials said.
Dulloo stressed that reconstruction should follow the “Build Back Better” approach and not merely restore damaged infrastructure to its pre-disaster condition.
He also directed departments to cross-check beneficiary lists and project proposals against ongoing schemes such as PMAY-G, Jal Jeevan Mission, AMRUT, SASCI, NABARD, PMGSY and Samagra Shiksha to prevent duplication and ensure optimal utilisation of public funds.
The Chief Secretary called for incorporation of disaster-resilient features, including compliance with Seismic Zone IV/V requirements, elevated plinths and slope stabilisation measures wherever applicable.
He further directed that all projects be geo-tagged and uploaded on the BEAMS digital platform to create a unified record for monitoring physical progress and financial utilisation.
According to the review, the social sector has prepared plans worth Rs 262.11 crore against an approved allocation of Rs 289.40 crore.
The housing component has achieved 100 per cent commitment of its Rs 193.19-crore allocation, covering 9,083 households, including 5,227 fully and 3,856 severely damaged houses.
The Roads and Bridges sector has planned utilisation of its entire Rs 461.64-crore allocation for restoration of around 1,230.7 km of roads and 4,494.5 metres of bridges.
The Power sector has planned Rs 70.08 crore against an allocation of Rs 72.97 crore for restoration of more than 21,000 poles, 1,100 circuit kilometres of conductors and 800 transformers, benefiting around 1.45 lakh consumers.
Drinking Water and Sanitation has prepared plans worth Rs 59.02 crore against Rs 139.65 crore, while Irrigation and Flood Control has planned Rs 93.01 crore against Rs 199.79 crore.
In the productive sectors, Agriculture has formulated plans worth Rs 168.36 crore against Rs 223.67 crore, covering 45 packages related to crop inputs, land reclamation and restoration of research infrastructure at SKUAST-Jammu.
Animal Husbandry and Livestock has planned Rs 8.86 crore against Rs 10.28 crore, while Horticulture has fully utilised its Rs 3.87-crore allocation to support 3,493 farmers.
The meeting also reviewed the dedicated Rs 44.52-crore Ramban recovery plan prepared following the April 19-20, 2025 cloudburst and flash floods. The plan includes Rs 23.24 crore for Roads and Bridges, Rs 3.34 crore for Irrigation and Flood Control, Rs 1.78 crore for Education and Rs 1.48 crore for Animal Husbandry and Livestock.
Dulloo directed that household relief under the recovery programme be released strictly according to the 30:40:30 progress-linked direct benefit transfer pattern, keeping payments aligned with the actual progress of reconstruction.
He also asked nodal officers at the block, sub-divisional and district levels to ensure resolution of E-Samadhan and CPGRAMS grievances within 15 days.
The Chief Secretary said the recovery programme should ensure not only timely restoration of damaged infrastructure but also creation of a more resilient and disaster-ready Jammu and Kashmir.(NVI)
