| CWC finds Tawi Artificial Lake Project feasible, PDP-BJP coalition thinks otherwise | | After CWC approval, AIBP sanctioned Rs 25 Crores: Taj | | Akshay Azad
Early Times Report
Jammu, May 16: The remarks of PDP-BJP coalition government questioning feasibility of the Tawi Artificial Lake project has raised serious aspersions over its intentions, as the Central Water Commission (CWC) had already approved the project after making comprehensive technical assessment.
Picking holes in the claims of present dispensation, former PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Minister, Taj Mohi-ud-din said that Central Water Commission had already approved the project.
"It was only after the approval of CWC to the feasibility of the project that funds to the tune of Rs. 25 Cr were given by Union government under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme", he said, adding that even the technical advisory committee had also approved the project.
He further said that it was only after the CWC approval to the technical feasibility of the project that funding from three different sectors was approved.
"It is a prestigious project for which funding from three different agencies has been given. Rs. 25 Crores was given under AIBP, while 25 Crores was sanctioned by 13th Finance Commission and only Rs. 20 Crores was given by the Jammu and Kashmir Planning Department", he said, adding that it was not a one day work, but a long process, and funds for which were only approved after all clearances.
He further said that even before the construction of Ranbir Canal, a barrage was already in place, where the new barrage was under construction, which was constructed during erstwhile Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir."Nearly 100 to 125 years ago, water from Tawi was lifted and was used for irrigation purposes. On same pattern, the artificial lake project was mooted and barrage is only to utilize water for irrigation purposes", he said, adding that barrage was to divert water for irrigation purposes and during rains, the extra would be released to minimize damages to low lying areas during rains.
Taking a jibe at PDP-BJP coalition, Former Minister further said, "If Tawi lake project is not feasible, then why Deputy Chief Minister had rushed to Delhi to meet Uma Bharti".
When asked what was the reason behind PDP-BJP government's statement of project "not feasible", Taj Mohi-ud-din said, "I can't comment on the statement but it seems that incumbent government has been undermining every work done by previous government".
Moreover, Chief Engineer of Irrigation and Flood Control, HC Jerath said that so far they have not received any order from government.
When asked if CWC had approved the project, he said that it was in 2011 that the project was approved by CWC. |
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