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Plan to restore glory of Jhelum

Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR: To restore the pristine glory of the Jhelum river, Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz and Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Saturday vowed to implement the ambitious project for which Rs. 18 crore has already been released.

After a marathon meeting with senior officials of the State, both Prof. Soz and Mr. Azad said the idea was not just to restore a river alone but a hallmark of a civilization called Kashmir.

Prof. Soz said Rs. 18 crore had already been released for the Jhelum's restoration and beautification. "The detailed project report submitted by the State Government has put the expenditure for complete restoration at Rs. 58 crore. We are going through the same and it will be taken into consideration on merits, " he added.

Prof. Soz said he would prepare a document that would be handed over to the Chief Minister for inclusion in the 11th Five Year Plan so that the ambitious project was implemented in totality.

The Union Minister expressed concern over the dilapidated condition of the Jhelum, especially the weir built by Mahraja Pratap Singh in 1903. "The weir was something which stood guarantee for this great river's protection. We will not only beautify it but also ensure preventive measures for floods," he said.

Prof. Soz said he had seen a disturbing documentary produced by a state department. "It presents a shabby picture of the Jhelum and both me and Mr. Azad were disturbed," he said, suggesting that it should be shown on Doordarshan for public awareness.

The State Government, he said, had done a commendable job removing the encroachments along the banks of the Jhelum but "we have to go a long way in restoring it to its original shape". For this, he said "funding was not a problem and we will chalk out a short as well as a long term plan".

Mr. Azad said it was a great opportunity for the State to have Prof. Soz as Water Resources Minister at the Centre.

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Plan to restore glory of Jhelum

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