JAMMU: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, today said that the Jammu–Akhnoor four-lane Project on NH-144A is at an advanced stage while the remaining works are targeted for phased completion by mid-2026.
The Deputy Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by Legislator Mohan Lal in the Legislative Assembly today.
Regarding the timeline for completion, the Deputy Chief Minister informed that the Package-I is likely to be completed by 31.03.2026 while Package-II has already been completed. Besides, package-IIIA is expected to be completed by 30.04.2026, and Package-IIIB by 31.07.2026.
He said that the delay in completion of certain packages also included project alignment traverses densely populated urban areas of Jammu city, which has led to traffic congestion, restricted working hours and frequent interruptions arising from traffic regulation measures and canal diversion works.
In addition, he said there have been issues related to slow progress and inadequate resource mobilization along with certain technical constraints.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that labour shortages, disruptions for land acquisitions, deployment of men and machinery have also impacted the pace of execution, for various reasons.
He further said that the unseasonal rainfall has also adversely affected the construction activities. He added, delays in disbursement of compensation, removal of encroachments and shifting of utilities have added to the overall timeline slippages.
Projects worth Rs. 1503.146 lakh under AMRUT, PMDP being executed for preservation, beautification of Brari-Nambal: Govt
Rs. 212.38 cr project approved for conservation of Dal-Nigeen Lake ecosystem
The Jammu and Kashmir Lake Conservation and Management Authority (J&KLCMA) has executed various projects under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation & Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and PMDP for preservation, conservation, beautification and development of Tourist facilities at Brari Nambal.
This was stated by Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, in Legislative Assembly today while replying to a question of Legislator Shamim Firdous on behalf of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah regarding beautification of Brari-Nambal.
The Minister informed the House that under AMRUT an amount of Rs. 876.024 Lakh is being spent on rejuvenation and revival of Brari-Nambal Lagoon through various means like dredging of main water body, dredging of its connected channels viz. Rainawari and Nowpora Channels, construction of 1000 meters walkway and slope stabilization, improvement to temple, removal of solid waste, restoration of damaged electric poles, repairs and renovation of existing grill fencing and installation of aerators.
It was also informed that for integrated development of Tourist facilities at Brari-Nambal Lagoon, Rs. 627.122 Lakh is being spent under different initiatives like construction of food court near MP School, installation of fountain near Shehri Khas Gate, construction of central verge, construction of Jetty near Shehri-Khas Gate, construction of inner and outer pathways and providing of ornamental grill fencing.
In addition, the J&K LCMA has proposed to frame a DPR for further development and beautification of the Brarinambal for which RFP is under preparation and shall be floated in the next financial year.
The Minister also informed the House that for tackling pollution and encroachment issues/factors affecting the Dal Lake’s ecosystem, Jammu & Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) actively monitors water quality of Dal Lake on a monthly basis with samples collected and analyzed for various physico-chemical and biological parameters like DO, BOD, COD, pH, Fecal and Total coliform.
It was also informed that during April-December 2025, water quality monitoring at Dal Lake’s 21 locations revealed that none met the ‘Class B’ criteria for BOD while 19 locations met the criteria for fecal coliform.
It was further informed that approximately 3108 families shifted from inside Dal Lake had been rehabilitated at designated housing colonies as a conservation measure. Besides, continuous de-weeding and cleaning is being undertaken throughout the year both manually and mechanically for conservation of Dal Lake.
It was also given out that five Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) have been constructed with total treatment capacity of 36.73 MLD for domestic sewage from peripheral/adjoining areas. Besides, 721 houseboats in Dal-Nigeen Lake have been connected to existing STPs to prevent direct discharge of sewage into the lake.
The Minister also informed that 100 bio-digesters have been installed on pilot basis in Tailbal area for scientific sewage handling, while upgradation of two STPs at Brarinambal and Nallah Amir Khan is in progress to meet NGT norms under AMRUT 2.0.
Further, it was given out that 30 MLD STP is being constructed at Guptganga by J&K UEED to arrest sewage from left-out areas, besides fencing works have been undertaken in various catchment areas, maintenance and development of inflow channels/nallahs to reduce silt load as well as regular water quality testing as per CPCB norms by Research & Monitoring (R&M) Wing of J&K LCMA.
To prevent illegal constructions and encroachments in and around Dal Lake, no new construction is being permitted within the lake area and 200 meters buffer zone (as declared by the High Court, J&K). Also, regular anti-encroachment drives are being conducted and routine enforcement nakas are enforced to curb transportation of illegal construction material.
For integrated Management Plan for conservation of Dal Nigeen Lake Ecosystem, the Minister informed that a Project has been taken up under PMDP Scheme for Rehabilitation of Dal Dwellers, adding that a DPR prepared by IIT Roorkee has been approved for ₹212.38 crore for five years with focus areas like sewerage of internal hamlets, catchment management and mitigation of silt load.
Legislators Mubarik Gul and Tanvir Ali Sadiq raised supplementary questions on the subject.
6000 additional transit accommodations under construction for PM Package employees in Kashmir said Deputy Chief Minister
Rs. 8490.15 lakh DPR prepared for repair, renovation of migrant camps in Jammu
Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, informed the House that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Rs. 8490.15 lakh for repair and renovation of migrant camps in Jammu has been prepared and taken up with the Finance Department for work execution.
The Deputy Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by Legislator Devyani Rana in the Legislative Assembly.
He said that prefabricated transit accommodations with basic amenities have been established at Vessu (Kulgam), Hawal (Pulwama), Natnusa (Kupwara) and Veerwan(Baramulla) Division to provide immediate and secure housing to migrant employees appointed under the Prime Minister’s Package. He added that to augment capacity, around 6,000 additional transit accommodations are under construction in a phased manner.
He said that the Government is providing all basic facilities including housing, drinking water, electricity, sanitation, healthcare, education, ration and security to the camps and migrants residing in accommodations across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Deputy Chief Minister also informed the house that at residential quarters in Mini Township Jagti, facilities including drinking water supply, electricity, Sanitation, ration, education, healthcare and security arrangements are in place.
He added that at TRT Nagrota, Muthi Camp and Purkhoo Camp, all basic facilities like housing, drinking water, electricity, sanitation, healthcare, education, ration and security are being provided and maintained by the concerned departments.
He said that the departments including Public Works (R&B) Department, Jal Shakti Department and Power Development Department have been entrusted with the upkeep and operation of core facilities in transit migrant camps.
Similarly, Housing & Urban Development Department, Department of Youth Services & Sports, Department of Floriculture, UEED, JAKEDA and the Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Department have been ordered for providing services within their respective domains.
He said that grievances regarding maintenance and repair/renovation, drinking water supply and electrical faults are being received from time to time and are addressed promptly.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for repair and renovation of migrant camps in Jammu, amounting Rs 8490.15 lakh, has been prepared. He said that for annual renovation and upkeep of all accommodations, complaints received from time to time are addressed on priority basis through the concerned departments.
He said that necessary repair and maintenance works are undertaken through ongoing stage contracts besides immediate corrective measures are taken by the concerned departments to address deficiencies like water supply disruptions, sanitation issues and infrastructure damage, ensuring minimum inconvenience to the residents.
The Deputy Chief Minister also said that a comprehensive and time-bound plan has been formulated to improve the living conditions in all migrant camps.
He added that as advised by the Finance Department, asset inventory has been completed, the process for handing over maintenance to PW(R&B) Department has been initiated, and provisioning under CAPEX 2026-27 along with annual maintenance has been requested.
