Shadow Correspondent
JAMMU, MAY 29:
In order to review the status of Devika Rejuvenation project under National River Conservation plan, a meeting was held here today. Member Legislative Assembly, Udhampur Pawan Gupta, District Development Commissioner, Ravinder Kumar, Chief Planning Officer, Ashok Khajuria SE UEED, Satinder Singh, AD Planning, Darshan Kumar, Tehsildar, Udhampur Ved Parkash besides other officers were present on the occasion. Threadbare discussion was held on issues like development of bathing ghats in the premises of Devika, removal of encroachments, sewerage treatment, restoration of natural water bodies and development of catchment area. While briefing about the project, Executive Engineer UEED, Taj Mohd Choudhary said that the project is divided into three zones. Pertinent to mention here that DPR amounting to Rs 189.22 crore formulated for the project has been submitted for approval to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of India (GOI). During the meeting, MLA asked the consultant agency to make comprehensive execution plan for the project and take expert guidance of Hydrologist and water conservation experts. He stressed upon the concerned for preparation of detailed plan in stretches within stipulated time frame so that the work on the holy project could be undertaken at the earliest. The Deputy Commissioner said that a committee of senior officers has already been constituted to demarcate and retrieve the encroached land under demarcation map of Devika River.
