JTFRP’s mega projects emerging as agents of change in J&K
SRINAGAR, MARCH 25: In a major overhaul to Jammu and Kashmir’s infrastructural landscape, the World Bank-funded, Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project's (JTFRP’s) megaprojects are acting as agents of change across the region."We are doing our best to keep the pace of the projects", Chief Executive Officer, JKERA & JTFRP, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, said. "We are glad that the projects undertaken by the JTFRP are making some mark on the ground and acting as agents of change," he added.
The CEO also said, "J&K is prone to multiple disasters like floods, earthquakes, flash floods, avalanches etc and for strengthening of response systems to these disasters, we at JTFRP recently have taken several initiatives and also held a day-long workshop on Multihazard Risk Assessment."
It may be recalled that in this regard, the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Union Ministry of Finance, Government of India, have recorded their praise for the Jammu and Kashmir Government for the successful implementation of World Bank-funded projects JTFRP during virtual Tripartite Portfolio Review Meeting (TPRM) held recently.
The Bank team informed that the project has made notable progress in the last 1.5 years and all milestones agreed upon after the extension have been completed.
“80% of the total disbursement till date has indeed been achieved in the last one year,” the Bank team observed.
The CERC implementation has progressed well including the oxygen generation plants. While the key concerns that need to be addressed in the project focus needed to close the gap between the financial and physical progress improved the performance of the two lagging PIUs, update and disclosure of EIA/EMP on Bridgeworks and hospitals, and address the gaps in staffing the safeguard.
The project team has reaffirmed that the project was able to show progress in the last 1.5 years. The project exceeded the disbursement targets and achieved all agreed actions in the last TPRM.
“This project has shown positive progress in the rural areas (artisan support) and supported the UT in the COVID times by augmenting the capacities at primary and secondary Health Care Centres,” the Bank team lauded during the virtual meeting.
The DEA has recorded praise for the project implementation during the virtual Tripartite Portfolio Review Meeting’ (TPRM) between DEA, World Bank, and the Project Authority—further observing that there was now weekly monitoring of the project with a weekly update of the Management Information System (MIS).
The TPRM, which reviewed the progress of various projects funded by the World Bank across the country was attended by the senior officers of the DEA (Department of Economic Affairs) Ministry of Finance, Govt of India, World Bank, and senior officers of various EA’s (Executing Agencies). The meeting expressed immense satisfaction over the marked improvement in the implementation of the World Bank-funded USD 250 million Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project in Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier the meeting noted that disbursement has to improve in the next 5 to 6 months. It was unanimously agreed during the meeting that Jammu and Kashmir Government is directed to achieve a disbursement target of USD 40.00 million in the Bank’s financial year 2021.
It was also recorded in the meeting that there has been tremendous progress in the project in the last one year and it should be maintained. According to the meeting, an amount of 50 million USD has been allocated to the CERC component.
“We have gone ahead of the previous disbursement targets set by the DEA,” said CEO, JKERA & JTFRP, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah. He said that his team would continue to give their best in every possible way to complete the vital developmental projects works on the component of strengthening and restoration of livelihood and the component of the strengthening of the critical infrastructure of the World Bank-funded JTFRP.
“The new disbursement target will be met well in advance due to big improvements in the implementation of the project,” the CEO assured.
JTFRP project funded by the World Bank has 7 components which include components including Reconstruction and strengthening of the Critical Infrastructure, Reconstruction of the roads and bridges, Restoration of the Urban Flood Management System, Restoration and strengthening of the Livelihoods, Strengthening of the Disaster Risk Management System, Contingency Emergency Response for Covid -19 and Implementation Support. Pertinently in the last quarter of July- September appreciable progress has been made under the project with 96.41%, 86.52%,100%,78.30%, and 55.15% sub-projects awarded under the component,1,2,3,4 and 5 respectively.
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