Daijiworld Media Network - Srinagar
Srinagar, Sep 21: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday informed the Legislative Assembly that Rs 185 crore will be spent on the permanent restoration of roads and bridges damaged in recent flash floods and landslides.
Replying to a question by Rajouri MLA Iftikhar Ahmed during Question Hour of the Autumn Session, Omar Abdullah, who also holds the Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction portfolio, said a detailed assessment of damage caused by recent flash floods and landslides in the Rajouri constituency had been completed.
He said relief had been provided to affected families and plans prepared for the permanent restoration of damaged infrastructure.
The District Administration Rajouri received 149 family-wise damage cases, against which Rs 40.61 lakh was disbursed to affected families under State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms. Another Rs 2.81 crore was released from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.
A preliminary assessment of damage to roads and bridges in Rajouri district has also been completed. A proposal has been prepared for the permanent restoration of 403 roads and bridges at an estimated cost of Rs 185 crore.
On power infrastructure, Omar Abdullah said damage worth Rs 27.99 crore was assessed in Rajouri district following heavy rains and flash floods in July 2026. Of this, Rs 9.39 crore related to the Rajouri constituency.
He said temporary restoration was carried out by installing an Emergency Restoration System (ERS) tower on the 132 KV Rajouri-Draba transmission line. The tendering process for permanent restoration is currently underway.
The Chief Minister said Rs 1.25 crore had been received under the SDRF for temporary restoration of power supply in Rajouri district, of which Rs 57.60 lakh was allocated to the Rajouri constituency.
On agricultural losses, he said maize crops were affected across 416 hectares, with 15 per cent damage, while paddy crops were affected over 101.50 hectares, with 65 per cent damage.
The Jal Shakti and Public Works (R&B) Departments also conducted detailed assessments of damage to water supply, irrigation and road infrastructure.
Omar Abdullah said all damaged roads, bridges, water supply schemes and power schemes had been temporarily restored within one month. Detailed Project Reports for permanent restoration are under consideration.
He added that flood-prone electrical infrastructure would be strengthened and realigned wherever required. Adequate spare equipment would also be kept ready to facilitate immediate restoration in case of future damage.
On the demand for enhanced compensation under SDRF norms, the Chief Minister said revision of the norms falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
Meanwhile, replying to a starred question by MLA Mir Mohammad Fayaz on electrification in Kupwara, Omar Abdullah, who also holds the Power Department portfolio, said works covering 29 habitations and 1,936 households were under implementation in the district under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).
Letters of Award (LoAs) have been issued for 10 blocks of Kupwara district for works estimated at Rs 14.74 crore.
The works cover habitations in Moori, Manigah, Kumkadi, Tangdar, Reday Chokibal, Wavwoora, Machil, Keran, Hyhama, Karoos, Teatwal, Sogam and Qadirabad.
Survey work, drawings and Bills of Quantities (BOQs) have been completed, while procurement of materials is underway.
Works have already commenced in 10 habitations across five blocks, with Rs 86 lakh spent so far.
The Chief Minister said an action plan had been prepared for electrifying all remaining households in accordance with the Detailed Project Report (DPR) sanctioned under RDSS.
The electrification works are targeted for completion by October 2027. During the current financial year, Rs 3.68 crore has been released for Kupwara district.
Omar Abdullah assured the House that the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) was committed to completing the electrification works within the stipulated timeframe and ensuring reliable power supply.