JJM, AMRUT projects to strengthen water supply infrastructure in Sopore: Rana

SRINAGAR : Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmed Rana, on Thursday stated that the Jal Shakti Department is implementing various water supply schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and AMRUT to ensure adequate and potable drinking water supply to rural and urban habitations of Sopore Constituency.
The Minister stated this while replying to a Calling Attention Motion moved by Legislator Irshad Rasool Kar in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly today.
Rana informed the House that 16 water supply schemes have been taken up under JJM at an estimated cost of ₹85.55 crore to provide Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) to households across the rural areas of Sopore Constituency. He also said that nine of these schemes have been completed and made functional.
Regarding Sopore Town, the Minister said that its water supply infrastructure is being augmented under AMRUT 2.0 at an estimated cost of ₹73.39 crore, against which ₹63.92 crore have been allotted. The project is presently under execution and has achieved around 35 per cent physical progress. He said that upon completion and commissioning, the project would substantially augment and improve the water supply infrastructure of Sopore Town and cater to its increasing water demand.
The Minister said that the Department is providing drinking water to the affected habitations through water tankers as an interim arrangement pending completion and commissioning of the ongoing schemes. He added the tanker service would continue to bridge the gap in water supply until the JJM and AMRUT 2.0 projects are completed and made fully operational.
It was further informed that PHE Division Sopore has, presently, six functional water tankers deployed in areas covered under incomplete JJM schemes, including Dangerpora, Saidpora, Warpora, Adipora, Aminabad, Tarzoo, Watlab-Sangritop and adjoining areas besides various water-deficient areas of Sopore Town.
The Minister informed the House that the Department is pursuing release of funds with the UT and Central Governments to clear pending work-done claims under JJM schemes on a first-charge basis, so that work on these schemes can be resumed and completed at the earliest. He said the completion and commissioning of these schemes would ensure improved availability and reliability of drinking water supply in the habitations covered under their ambit.