Jammu, Mar 3 : Javed Ahmed Rana, Minister for Jal Shakti, today reviewed the progress of ongoing Public Health Engineering (PHE) and Irrigation & Flood Control (I&FC) schemes across Kashmir Division.

The meeting focused on a comprehensive assessment of the physical and financial progress of key drinking water supply and irrigation projects currently under execution.
The Minister underscored the importance of adhering to set timelines and maintaining complete transparency and accountability in project implementation.
He directed officers to ensure strict compliance with prescribed quality standards at every stage, from planning to execution, so that durable and sustainable infrastructure is created for the public.
Expressing concern over reports of water supply disruptions in certain areas, the Minister instructed officials to immediately address grievances related to potable water availability.
He emphasized the need for prompt complaint redressal, strengthening of distribution networks, and close monitoring of supply systems to guarantee uninterrupted access to safe drinking water for all households.
With the upcoming cropping season approaching, the Minister called for proactive measures to ensure that irrigation infrastructure is fully operational.
He directed officers to expedite desiltation of canals, repair and replacement of worn-out plant and machinery, and removal of bottlenecks that could hamper water flow.
Special emphasis was laid on the restoration and maintenance of traditional irrigation channels, including kuls, to support farmers and safeguard agricultural productivity.
Reviewing flood control preparedness, the Minister stressed the urgency of completing protective works at identified vulnerable and flood-prone locations within stipulated timelines.
He called for coordinated planning and swift execution of mitigation measures to protect lives, property, and farmland from potential flood threats, particularly in view of changing weather patterns.
Senior officials, including the Chief Engineer, Jal Shakti Kashmir, Chief Engineer, I&FC Kashmir and other departmental officers briefed the Minister on the current status of various projects and outlined steps being taken to accelerate their completion and resolve existing challenges.
Reaffirming Omar Abdullah Government’s commitment to strengthening water infrastructure in J&K, the Minister directed officers to maintain rigorous field-level monitoring and ensure that the intended benefits of these schemes reach the people efficiently and without delay.