JAMMU, FEBRUARY 01 (KNO) : Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Kumar Singh today informed the Legislative Assembly that several flagship schemes have been launched for augmentation and strengthening of generation, transmission and distribution network to achieve self-sufficiency and provide 24x7 supply to the consumers.
Winding up the discussion on the Demands for Grants of the Power sector in the Legislative Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister welcomed the suggestions put forth by the Legislators regarding the functioning of the Departments under his charge.
Dr Singh said he and his team of officers would take a cue from the valuable suggestions of the Legislators and redouble their efforts to improve the functioning of the power and housing & urban development sectors.
Referring to the power sector, the Deputy Chief Minister said that several hydroelectric projects have been undertaken in the state under close monitoring mechanism for ensuring that these are completed within the stipulated timeline. “Two projects of 9MW capacity each in Dah and Hanu in district Leh have been completed and the commissioning of these projects shall be done during the current year while the tendering process of 12 MW Karnah HEP has also been initiated”, he said adding that 3 new projects in joint venture with NHPC and Power Trading Corporation are at an advanced stage of tendering.
Giving further details, he said that 300 MW Kishenganga HEP, executed by NHPC is likely to be commissioned this year and it will go a long way in augmenting the power generation capacity.
The Deputy CM also referred to restructuring of JKSPDC, one of the major executing agencies associated with the tapping of hydro-electric potential of the state. He said as part of financial engineering of the corporation, the PDD will pay Rs 2400 crore to it and at the time, SPDC will return Rs 4300 crore which it has taken as loan from the State Government over a period of time.
He further informed that once these two transactions are done, Rs 1900 crore, the gap between the two transactions shall be infused as equity into the company. Further, fresh valuation of assets is expected to add additional Rs 1000 crore to the equity base of SPDC he added.
“In one go, SPDC will become a debt- free company with an equity base of around Rs 3000 crore and post these changes, the company shall go for Initial Public Offering (IPO)”, he said.
“The Government is also finalizing the modalities of opening a Letter of Credit with J&K Bank, for timely payment of the power purchase bills. This will ensure power security and annual savings of about Rs 150 crore on account of interest,” he added.
Dr Singh said that GoI has sanctioned Rs 1189.59 crore under PMDP for strengthening transmission system at 220kV and 132kV level. “Tenders for all schemes in both Jammu and Kashmir provinces stand issued. Out of 32 projects 8 stand allotted,” he added.
He said to remove existing constraints at transmission level, the department is striving to complete the critical Grid Stations and Transmission lines by well before December, 2018 which include Grid Station, Alusteng, Budgam, Delina, Gladni, 220 KV, Srinagar –Leh, transmission line and 400 KV D/C transmission line NRSS-XXIX from Jalandar-Samba to Amargarh.
About augmentation of distribution network, Dr Singh informed that GoI has approved an amount of Rs 616.59 crore under DDUGJY for strengthening the distribution system in rural areas of 21 districts of the state.
“The Project Management Agencies and Project Implementation Agencies for all districts stand appointed. 13 districts have been assigned to JKPDD and remaining 8 to PGCIL he said adding that the tenders for other 8 districts shall be awarded within a week’s time which include 3 districts of Jammu (Ramban, Reasi and Udhampur), 3 of Kashmir (Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian) and 2 of Ladakh (Leh and Kargil).
The Deputy Chief Minister said that electrification of 102 un-electrified villages of the state is included in the DDUGJY and RGGVY-II schemes, of which 78 un-electrified villages are included in DDUGJY and remaining 24 are included in RGGVY-II.
He added that electrification of 22 villages has been achieved till January, 2018 and 26 villages shall be electrified by April, 2018. Remaining 54 villages shall be electrified through off grid mode by June, 2018, he added.
For expediting registration of connections of the un-electrified households, Mobile App namely “Gram Jyoti Doot” has been developed and 250 connections have been registered through this App, he informed.
He further informed that for strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution networks in 86 towns of the state, GoI has sanctioned Rs 444.50 crore under Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS). The Dy CM added that the Project Management Agencies (PMA) and Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) have been appointed and tendering is under process.
Under PMDP, GoI has sanctioned Rs 2570.14 crore for strengthening of distribution system in rural and urban areas of the state and special focus is being laid on capital cities, industrial towns, Advance Technology interventions, creation of Smart Grids and underground cabling of pilgrimage and tourist destinations, he said.
“The scheme also includes replacement of sub-standard conductors and worn out poles and the government has released an amount of Rs 87 crore @ Rs 1.00 crore for each constituency under PMDP” he informed.
Giving further details, he said 90 % progress has been achieved under Re-structured Accelerated Power Development & Reforms Programme (R-APDRP), launched in 30 identified towns of the state at an estimated cost of Rs 151.99 crore and the scheme is likely to be completed by March, 2018.
He further informed that Part–B of RAPDRP (Infrastructure) scheme has been sanctioned at a cost of Rs 1665.27 crore envisaging conventional distribution strengthening works, installation of High Voltage Distribution System (HVDS) and Aerial Bunched cabling in densely populated areas to plug pilferage.
“As a step towards energy efficiency, Unnat Jeevan scheme to provide Affordable LEDs and Appliances (UJALA) is under implementation in the state with the assistance of CPSU, Energy Efficiency Services Ltd. (EESL)” he informed and added around 78 Lakh LED bulbs have been distributed at a nominal cost (Rs 100 for a pack of 5 lamps) so far.
Dr Singh said that the State Government has signed an MoU with GoI, Ministry of Power under UDAY, under which an amount of Rs 3537.55 crore has been provided to liquidate the outstanding dues of CPSUs, thus reducing the interest cost of about Rs 340.00 crore annually.
Informing the House about the present Power Scenario, he said that 3101 MW un-restricted peak load is being recorded against which 2280 MW is being met. “The peak met during 2014-15 was 2043 MW, which means increase of 11.6 %. The present unrestricted energy demand is 18473, against which Energy input is 15667 MU” he added.
“On the basis of the requests received by the Department from various quarters including public representatives, the department has proposed grant of Amnesty for 100% waiver of surcharge in respect of various categories of consumers viz Domestic, Agriculture (non- government) etc” he informed.
The Deputy CM said that reduction of Electricity Duty has been from 22% to 10% has benefited all categories of consumers across the board.
While referring to the initiatives taken to ensure welfare of departmental employees in case of injury or death on duty, the Deputy Chief Minister said that ex-gratia relief has been increased to Rs 3 lakh in case of death, Rs 1 lakh for total disability and Rs 30 thousand for partial disability.
Later the House passed Grants of Rs 1305306.97 lakh of Power Development Department with a voice-vote.
Earlier, several members took part in the discussion and gave their valuable inputs for further strengthening the power sector in the state. They include Mian Altaf Ahmad, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Yawar Mir, Satpaul Sharma, Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen, M Y Tarigami, Shamim Firdous, Sukhnandan Kumar, Vikar Rasool, Mohammad Khalil Bandh, Pawan Kumar Gupta, Kamal Verma, Bashir Ahmed Dar, Rajesh Gupta, Haji Abdul Rashid Dar, Mohammad Yousuf Bhat, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mohammad Amin Bhat, Abdul Rahim Rather, Devender Singh Rana, Rajeev Jasrotia, Deldan Namgyal, Abdul Majeed Padder, Mubarak Gul, R S Pathania, G M Saroori, Shah Mohammad Tantray, Mohammad Akbar Lone, Shakti Raj Parihar, Raja Manzoor, Choudhary Mohammad Akram, Altaf Ahmad Wani, Devinder Kumar Manyal, Asgar Ali Karbalie, Javid Hassan Beigh, Daleep Singh Parihar, Javed Rana, Gulzar Ahmad Wani, Choudhary Qamar Hussain, Dinanath Bhagat, Abdul Majeed Larmi, Usman Abdul Majeed, Noor Mohammad Sheikh, Rajeev Sharma and Ravinder Raina.(KNO)
Comprehensive policy framed to meet urban challenges: Dy CM
Jammu, Srinagar to be developed under Smart City Mission; 58 projects worth Rs 593.05cr approved under AMRUT
10719 houses sanctioned under BLC, 19 clusters formed for scientific disposal of solid waste
JAMMU, FEBRUARY 01: Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Kumar Singh today said that government has framed a comprehensive policy for effective implementation of flagship housing, sanitation and civic programmes to make Jammu and Kashmir a model state of the country.
Winding up the discussion on Demands for Grants of the Housing and Urban Development Departments (HUDD) in the Legislative Assembly today, the Deputy Chief Minister said that Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed massive surge in the urban population in recent past with twin capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar accounting for 60% of urban population.
“The Housing & Urban Development Department is fully geared to meet the challenge. Revised Master Plan of Srinagar – 2035 has been placed on the public domain and is likely to be notified shortly, while as Revised Master Plan 2032 of Jammu City, Udhampur and Katra towns have been approved and an exercise for preparation of Zonal plans is also being undertaken simultaneously by hiring professionals”, he said.
He further informed that Master Plans for 24 towns of the State are also at different stages of preparation/notification.
The Deputy Chief Minister, while referring to Union Government’s Smart City Mission, said that proposals for both the capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar have been approved by MoUD, GoI under the initiative.
He said that the proposal covering 159 projects through different modes of funding viz. Convergence, Grant/Equity and PPP involving over Rs 7453.00 crore (Rs 3815 crore for Srinagar Smart City and Rs 3638 crore for Jammu Smart City) are being taken up under the Mission to glorify the beauty and heritage character of the twin cities. He added that the projects envisage area based and pan city solutions development with maximum thrust on upgrading living standards of the citizens and harnessing tourism potential.
“The project shall be completed within a period of 5 years and Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) for both Jammu and Srinagar Smart Cities have been registered under Companies Act 2013 as “Jammu Smart City Limited” and “Srinagar Smart City Limited” with Ministry of Corporate Affairs, GoI”, he said and added that the CEOs for both the SPVs have been engaged.
Dr Singh said that process of engagement of Key Managerial Functionaries and Project Management Consultancy (PMC) has been initiated. “Once PMC is engaged implementation will set into motion.1st instalment of Central Share amounting to Rs 195.00 crore for each Smart City is likely to be received from the GoI soon,” he informed.
Giving further details, Dr Singh said “To improve urban infrastructure, GoI has very kindly consented to our request and extended Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), in relaxation of the criteria of population of at least 1 lakh, to five cities of Jammu, Srinagar, Anantnag, Leh & Kargil.”
The Deputy Chief Minister further said that 58 projects have been approved under AMRUT in State Annual Action Plans (SAAP) at an allocation of Rs 593.05 crore on sharing pattern of 90:10 between Centre and State. “We have requested the GoI to take more towns under the Scheme,” he said.
With reference to the prestigious Tawi Riverfront Project, Dr Singh said that the DPR for 3.5 Km from Gujjar Nagar Bridge to 4th bridge at Bhagwati Nagar at a cost of Rs 396.5225 crore has been prepared and a pilot stretch of 1.5 Km from 4th bridge at Bhagwati Nagar to Bikram Chowk bridge is being taken up in 1st phase at a cost of Rs 140.89 crore.
Briefing about other components of the project, he said development of Jammu Habitat Centre, as an left bank extension of first phase of Tawi River Front Project, envisages to develop the Ware House, Jammu as a Commercial-cum-Cultural Complex by way of construction of Institutional Complexes, Commercial Complexes, Hotel sites, Multiplex, shopping Mall sites and Open Air Theatres.
“Hari Singh Park will be right bank extension of the first phase of Tawi River Front Project”, he added.
Government is also committed to restore the pristine glory of world famous Dal Lake and making all-out efforts in this regards.
“To maintain the clean surface of the lake, on an average every year 100000 cum of wet weed is removed from Dal and Nageen Lake relieving it of excessive loads of nutrients trapped in the weed. LAWDA has also launched a massive operation for removal of lily patches by engaging skilled labours. Government is also in the process to procure the machinery with appropriate technology especially for cleaning of Dal-Nageen Lake and outsourcing of cleaning of Dal Lake under PPP Mode by engaging a global expert,” he informed.
He further elaborated that the Dole Demb project has been approved at a cost of Rs 29.50 crore for realignment of 380 houseboats. Similarly, development work at Rakh-e-Arth housing colony for rehabilitation of Dal dwellers has also been paced up.
With an aim to address Urban Poverty Alleviation, Dr Singh said that the focus of the department is to provide skill training with placement to the urban youth in potential trades through the Skill Training Provider institutes registered with NSDC/SSC.
“As many as 87 institutes have been empanelled by the department and sponsoring is being made to achieve a target of 6000 Self-Employment Units, 1000 during 2017-18, with credit linkage and admissible interest subsidy,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister further said that the project of Modernization/Construction of Multilevel Parking at General Bus Stand, Jammu, costing Rs 213.00 crore has already been taken up for execution under EPC mode by JDA.
“The project envisages creating facilities for ISBT with parking of 80 buses, multi-level car parking of 1312 cars and 177 two-wheelers, the commercial area for 12418 sq. m. and rehabilitation of 165 kiosks including allied facilities. It will be fully functional in 2019,” he added.
He said that Mechanized Parking Lots in Lal Chowk, Srinagar, and City Chowk, Jammu stand completed while 8 more Multi-Tier Parking at different identified places have also been approved under AMRUT.
To ease the traffic congestion in the twin capital cities, installation of Intelligent Traffic Light System (64 in Jammu City and 31 in Srinagar City) has been taken up at an approved cost of Rs 34.00 crore, he informed.
Dr Singh said that 25 cities/towns, 12 in Jammu province and 13 in Kashmir have been selected under Phase I of PMAY-HFA (Urban) Mission.
“Under Beneficiary Led Construction (BLC), 10719 houses for construction (New/Enhancement) have been sanctioned by GoI and their implementation is under progress and recently DPRs covering construction of 5021 houses have also been submitted to GoI for approval,” he informed.
He said that through ‘In situ slum Redevelopment and Affordable Housing in partnership verticals’, the government is trying to make cities and towns slum-free adding 25 Cities/Towns have been approved in Phase–I.
Under Deen Dayal Antodaya Yojana (DDAY) National Urban Livelihood Mission, the Government is committed for providing shelter to all homeless in the State in a phased manner at all district headquarters, he said adding that 5 such shelters have already been taken up at Jammu, Reasi, Kathua, Anantnag and Kupwara District Headquarters.
With regard to performance under Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), the Dy CM said the department has taken steps to get all the 80 Cities/towns of the State declared as Open Defecation Free (ODF). To this end, 19 clusters for the scientific disposal of solid waste covering all 78 urban towns and two capital cities of the State have been formed, he informed.
He said that DPRs of the Projects have been prepared and 10 projects tendered out in PPP mode at an estimated cost of over Rs 690 crore.
The SWM project at Srinagar with “Waste to Energy” technology has been approved by the State Cabinet for its execution and LoI issued and the tendering process initiated for Solid Waste Management in Jammu.
“It is expected that execution of all the Solid Waste Management projects will take off during 2018-19 and objective of “garbage-free towns” shall be achieved before the end of Mission i.e. 2nd Oct 2019”, he informed.
He said that Swachhata App, an Android/IOS mobile application enables citizens to post sanitary related issues/grievances for redressal by the respective Urban Local Bodies within fixed time frame has been started in all towns of the State.
With regard to augmentation of the already existing drainage and sewerage systems in the state, the Deputy Chief Minister said that 260 drainage schemes at an estimated cost of over Rs 570 crore in all urban areas of the State and schemes costing over Rs 300 crore under World Bank Funded Jhelum-Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) are being taken up in Srinagar city which mainly comprise of 49 dewatering stations, construction of SCADA system and Construction of Drainage network in left out areas.
“Execution of both the ongoing Sewerage Projects, Greater Jammu and Srinagar Cities under JnNURM, which were held up due to stoppage of funding by the GoI has again been resumed and proposed for completion by ending March 2018,” Dr Singh maintained.
He said for Sewerage system coverage of left out areas of Jammu and Srinagar City, the Government is planning to complete it with Overseas Development Assistance.
To cater to the increasing Housing demands in Urban areas, the Department has gone for vertical expansion of the cities by construction of residential flats including 252 in 10 towers at Muthi, Jammu, 56 at Bemina, Opposite Hajj House, Srinagar and 60 flats in 3 towers by the name Gulposh Apartments, Bemina, Srinagar.
Later the House passed the Grants of Rs 220050.83 lakh for Housing & Urban Development Department with voice-vote.
Earlier, several members took part in the discussion and gave their valuable inputs for further strengthening the Housing and Urban sector in the state. They include Mian Altaf Ahmad, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Yawar Mir, Satpaul Sharma, Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen, M Y Tarigami, Shamim Firdous, Sukhnandan Kumar, Vikar Rasool, Mohammad Khalil Bandh, Pawan Kumar Gupta, Kamal Verma, Bashir Ahmed Dar, Rajesh Gupta, Haji Abdul Rashid Dar, Mohammad Yousuf Bhat, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mohammad Amin Bhat, Abdul Rahim Rather, Devender Singh Rana, Rajeev Jasrotia, Deldan Namgyal, Abdul Majeed Padder, Mubarak Gul, R S Pathania, G M Saroori, Shah Mohammad Tantray, Mohammad Akbar Lone, Shakti Raj Parihar, Raja Manzoor, Choudhary Mohammad Akram, Altaf Ahmad Wani, Devinder Kumar Manyal, Asgar Ali Karbalie, Javid Hassan Beigh, Daleep Singh Parihar, Javed Rana, Gulzar Ahmad Wani, Choudhary Qamar Hussain, Dinanath Bhagat, Abdul Majeed Larmi, Usman Abdul Majeed, Noor Mohammad Sheikh, Rajeev Sharma and Ravinder Raina.(KNO)