R&B to construct approach road for mini stadium Salmeri: RDD Minister

JAMMU, MARCH 12: The government today said that an approach road for the mini stadium at Salmeri village in Samba district shall be constructed by the Public Works Department.

Minister for Rural Development Department, Javed Ahmad Dar, on behalf of Minister for Youth Services and Sports, informed this while replying to a question raised by Chander Prakash Ganga in the Legislative Assembly.

The Minister said that the Youth Services & Sports Department has constructed a mini stadium at village Salmeri, under Languishing and Capex budget at a cost of Rs. 3.00 crore. He informed that for smooth accessibility to the utility, the R&B Division would construct an approach road towards the mini stadium.

No loss of life or property reported among migrating tribals: Dy CM
The Government today informed the House that no loss of life or damage to the property of the tribal community has been reported due to heavy rains or floods during migration in the past two years (2023 and 2024) or till date in respect of Gulabgarh constituency.

Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, stated this in response to a starred question by Er Khurshied Ahmed in the Legislative Assembly.

The Deputy Chief Minister, speaking on behalf of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, assured the House that the government remains committed towards ensuring the safety and well-being of the migrating tribal population.

Bids invited for DPR on Bhaderwah-Seojhdar Project: Javed Dar
The Government today informed the House that the National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) has issued a Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) for engaging eligible consultants to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for development of Bhaderwah-Seojhdar project in Doda district.

Replying to a starred question raised by Daleep Singh Parihar, Minister for Rural Development Department, Javed Ahmad Dar, on behalf of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, informed that the NIT was issued on January 25, 2025, inviting bids for consultancy services to formulate the DPR for the project.

Govt to conduct demarcation of Natipora- Yousmarg road project: Dy CM
11 km Kandajan-Yousmarg project handed over to BRO
Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, said that the government would conduct demarcation of 4-lanning of Natipora- Yousmarg road via Charar-e-Sharief through the concerned SDM office.

The Deputy Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by Ali Mohammad Dar in the Legislative Assembly here today.

He said that the recommendation has been received recently from MLA Chadoora Constituency regarding preparation of DPR for 4-Lanning (Phase 1st) of Srinagar Charar-i-Sharief Yousmarg Road from Natipora to Chadoora town (length 12 Kms), which is under examination.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that Chadoora to Kandijan via Charar-i-Sharief (20.80 km) road has been proposed as spur to NH-444. He said that presently the road is intermediate lane and has been proposed to be upgraded to 2-lane with paved shoulders subject to approval from MoRTH, Gol.

He said that Kandajan to Yousmarg Road (11 kms) is part of NH-701A (Surankote- Shopian- Yousmarg-Doodhpathri- Magam road) and stands handed over to BRO for maintenance and further up gradation.
Govt prioritizing scientific disposal of solid waste: Sakeena Itoo
The Government today emphasized its shift from traditional solid waste dumping to a more scientific and sustainable waste disposal approach.
Responding to a question raised by Nizam ud Din Bhat on behalf of Member G.A. Mir, Minister for Health, Sakeena Itoo, informed the House that the government is implementing scientific waste management methods. This included bio-mining of legacy waste, construction of scientific waste management centers, door-to-door waste collection, bio-fencing around waste management sites and conversion of dumping sites into bio-parks, she added.

The Minister, replying on behalf of the Chief Minister, who is also the Minister-in-Charge of the Housing & Development Department, further stated that a Solid Waste Management Facility is operational in Achabal Town with a capacity of 4 TPD, where the town’s waste is systematically collected and processed.

Rs 41.78 cr Maitra bridge over Chenab to be completed by August 2026: Dy CM
Men & machinery mobilized, work accelerated for timely completion
Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, today informed the House that the Rs. 41.78 crore Maitra Ramban bridge over river Chenab shall be completed by August 2026.

The Deputy Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by Arjun Singh Raju in the Legislative Assembly.

He said that men and machinery is being mobilized and work has been accelerated for timely completion of the project. He informed the House that execution of bridge over river Chenab at Maitra Ramban, sanctioned under CRIF, was delayed, as NHAI did not allow intersection of this bridge with 4-lane Ramban flyover carrying fast moving motorized traffic.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that the bridge has now been planned to intersect with old NH, due to which the height of the bridge is being raised by 8.5 m and span extended by 30 m to 300 m.

He added that foundation of both the abutments has been completed while as Gantry on Maitra side stands installed and casting is in progress. He said that on the Ramban side, pier headwork is under progress and work of casting of segment/deck slab has been started.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that the project has picked up pace as the contractor has mobilized men and machinery in strength. He added that against a sanctioned cost of Rs. 41.78 crore, till date, an amount of Rs. 21.10 crore has been released in favour of the contractor and the bridge is expected to be completed by August 2026.

BRO to take up work on 4-lane Dhar-Udhampur road: Dy CM
Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, today said that the proposal for upgradation of Dhar-Udhampur road from two lane to four lane has been proposed by Project SAMPARK, BRO and the case has been further submitted to Northern Command for approval.

The Deputy Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by Satish Kumar Sharma in the Legislative Assembly.

He said that the upgradation/4-lanning work shall be taken up by the BRO following sanction by the competent authority.

Legislators; Balwant Singh Mankotia, Rajiv Jasrotia and Pawan Gupta raised the supplementaries.

11 Decentralized Waste Water Treatment Systems proposed in Jammu Division: Javid Rana
Rs 571.38 cr DPR for strengthening of Ravi Canal, distributaries submitted to CWC
Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmad Rana, today informed the House that several measures are being taken up to address the pollution and other environmental concerns affecting the Chenab and Ravi rivers in Jammu region.
The Minister was replying to a question raised by Davinder Kumar Manyal in the Legislative Assembly.

The Minister informed that 11 Decentralized Waste Water Treatment Systems (DEWATS) have been proposed for various districts of Jammu Division through Rural Development Department to tackle river pollution caused by grey water discharge from the households.

He stated that, of these, 04 works have already been commenced and these systems are specifically designed to effectively mitigate pollution concerns and improve the environmental health of rivers in the region.

The Minister informed that a DPR for “Improvement and Strengthening of Main Ravi Canal and its distribution network” amounting Rs. 571.83 crore has been framed for better management of irrigation and water resources in Ramgarh Constituency, which also includes the canal network of Ramgarh Constituency. The said DPR stands submitted to CWC for appraisal.

He also provided details about the steps being taken up for improvement/rejuvenation of canals (Jammu Chenab) in the Ramgarh Constituency. He informed that the stretch of D-9 canal from RD 32000 m to 36600 m falls under the territorial jurisdiction of Ramgarh Constituency.

He said that the stretch of 4.50 Km cater to 1259 acre of land for Irrigation and the overall condition of the canal is good, however, the stretch of about 1 Km at spots requires improvement and same shall be part of the project shelf of UT Capex 2025-26.

The Minister said that timeline for the project “Improvement of Ravi Canal and its distributaries” shall be two years from the date of sanction of the project. After implementation of the project, a potential of 8861 Ha shall be increased in Ramgarh Constituency. Further, other improvement works are being executed under UT Capex Budget as per availability of funds, he added.

Up-gradation of roads taken up as per traffic volume increase, pavement distress: Dy CM

Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, today informed the House that the up-gradation of roads is being taken up in accordance with the increase in traffic volume and pavement distress, if noticed.

The Deputy Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by Thakur Randhir Singh in the Legislative Assembly.

He said that the PW(R&B) Department has mandate to construct various categories of roads vis, state roads, major district roads, other district roads and village roads. He informed that the PWD is also constructing National Highways entrusted by MoRTH. He said that the each category of the road is designed keeping in view the strength of the sub base strata and traffic volume projected for the future ten years, and accordingly have different load bearing capacities.

“Upgradation of each category of road is being taken into consideration when the traffic volume increases and pavement distress is noticed or there is requirement for improvement of geometrics subject to availability of resources”, maintained the Deputy Chief Minister.

RDD constructs 69 waste segregation sheds worth Rs 2.17 cr in Langate : Javed Dar
Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Javed Ahmad Dar, today informed the House that 69 waste segregation sheds have been constructed in Langate Constituency with a total cost of Rs. 2.17 crore under the Swachh Bharat Mission.
He was responding to a question raised by Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad, who sought details on waste segregation sheds being constructed under the mission, with special reference to Langate Constituency.

The Minister further stated that, of these 69 sheds, only four are located near the water bodies.

JKRTC operating bus services in Kathua: Javed Dar
The Government today informed the House that the Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) is currently operating bus services in Kathua district.
Responding to a question raised by Bharat Bhushan, Minister for RDD, Javed Ahmad Dar, while replying on behalf of Minister for Transport, Satish Sharma, stated that JKRTC is presently running two bus routes in the district including Jammu to Machedi Lohai and Jammu to Bani Lowang.

The Minister informed that all interstate buses being operated by the JKRTC travel through Kathua district during their up and down journeys. He also recalled that during the Covid-19 pandemic, bus service was suspended as per government SOPs with the entire JKRTC fleet engaged in ferrying Jammu based passengers from Lakhanpur to various districts of the Union Territory.

Javid Dar stated that over the time, the JKRTC fleet was identified for auction for being over aged and the process, in this regard, is currently underway. Despite these challenges, he assured that JKRTC with its limited fleet has been making every effort to meet transportation needs of the public across J&K and is actively exploring ways to resume additional bus services in the near future.

Govt identifies 5000 kanal land for establishment of Industrial estates in Kashmir: Dy CM
Intends for 9661 kanal land submitted to Revenue deptt in Jammu
Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, today informed the House that about 5000 kanal of land has been identified for establishment of industrial estates in different districts of Kashmir division while intends for 9661 kanal of land has been submitted to the Revenue department in Jammu division.
The Deputy Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by Rajiv Jasrotia in the Legislative Assembly.
He said that the intends of 14956. 15 kanal land have been placed for establishment of Industrial estates in different districts of Jammu division while 5532.19 kanal land has been transferred during the past two years in Kashmir.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that focus sectors for Jammu and Kashmir Industrial Policy 2021-30 included Manufacturing, IT and ITeS, Agriculture and Food Processing, Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure and Real Estate, Skill Development, Tourism and Hospitality, Film Tourism, Horticulture and Post-Harvest Management, Renewable Energy, Handloom and Handicrafts and Agriculture.

He said that package of incentives, including up to 100 percent subsidy components, turnover incentives, entrepreneurship and skill development fund, ease of doing business, investment promotion agency for promotion of investment and exports besides establishing industrial grievance forum are among various salient features of Jammu and Kashmir Industrial Policy 2021-30.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that several important reforms and measures are being implemented by the departments like Health & Drug Controller, Agriculture, Pollution Control Board, Public Health Engineering, Labour, Forest, Power Development Department, Fire, High Courts, Housing & Urban Development, Industries and Commerce to ensure a smoother regulatory ecosystem. These reforms are being taken up in areas like labour, property registration, single window clearance system and central inspection framework under District level BRAP.
“Various policy initiatives are being taken up by Jammu and Kashmir government to boost the industry sector and making it as investor friendly destination. These included New Central Sector Scheme, 2021, J&K Industrial Policy 2021-30, J&K Industrial Land Allotment Policy, J&K Private Industrial Estate Development Policy, Policy for Promotion of Foreign Investment in Industrial Sector in J&K 2022, J&K Single Window Rules 2021, Turnover Incentive Scheme 2021, J&K Wool Processing, Handloom and Handicraft Policy 2020, Financial Support Scheme for Cooperatives/Self Help Groups 2020, Credit Card Scheme for Artisans and Weavers, Karkhandar Scheme for Development of Craft Sector in J&K 2021, Export Subsidy Scheme 2021, Revised Education Scheme 2022 for Artisans/Weavers of Handicrafts and Handloom Department and J&K Start Up Policy 2024-27”, informed the Deputy Chief Minister.

The Deputy Minister said that the special marks have been kept in the evaluation criteria of land allotment applications, so that Women get a higher merit by virtue of their participation. He said that sanction has been accorded to establishment of an exclusive Industrial Estate for Women’ on 329 kanal land, out of 1347 kanal land at Seen, Thakran, District Udhampur under the Prime Ministers’ Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) for setting up of new micro enterprises.

He added that any business enterprise having 51 percent stake held by women entrepreneurs shall qualify to apply for allotment in the designated industrial estate. He said that the department has also granted short term/disposal permits to various executing agencies of National Highway Authority of India, NHIDCL, IRCON, the Ring Road, PWD (R&B), PMGSY, Irrigation and Flood Control, Airport Authority of India and others engaged in developments projects of National/UT importance during the past 2 years.

He said that the department has granted 36 limestone mining leases, 24 mineral gypsum mining leases besides 202 mining leases of e-auctioned minor mineral blocks. Besides, it has reserved/granted 8 mining leases in favour of J&K Public Sector Undertakings (J&K Mineral Limited and J&K PCC limited), 6 mining leases on private land, 2 quarry licenses on private land, one cluster quarry on state land and 23 quarry licenses in favour of government projects for providing key construction material to various developmental projects across J&K.
Mubarakh Gul and Saifuddin Bhat raised the supplementaries.