Jammu, Jan 3: Union Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh Saturday announced approval for a canal system on the Ujh river in border district of Kathua to check infiltration and utilise uncontrolled water flow towards Pakistan.
“The project has been cleared by both the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA),” he stated.
Dr Jitendra, who is also the Union Minister of State (independent charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences besides being the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, shared it while chairing a review meeting in Kathua with the district administration on the developmental projects.
During the meeting, the Minister reviewed fund allocations, flood damage assessments and ongoing infrastructure projects in the district. He stated that a total of over Rs 1,400 Cr were allocated for Jammu and Kashmir, including Rs 10 Cr for temporary repairs in Kathua, and minimal more than Rs 2 Cr for each of the damaged public assets and structures, subject to assessment by the district administration. He said funds for restoration of permanent infrastructure would be provided by the respective departments.
The Union Minister also instructed the departments, including Power, PWD and Jal Shakti, to carry out a comprehensive assessment of flood-related damages, and submit fresh proposals within a week, in a mission mode, for consideration by the Government of India.
Dr Jitendra emphasised that public representatives should conduct awareness campaigns in their constituencies to ensure proper utilisation of the allocated funds. He directed the district administration to undertake proactive measures so that no affected person or area was left out.
The minister directed all departments to ensure timely implementation of projects, thorough damage assessments, and transparent utilisation of allocated funds.
Dr Jitendra highlighted key infrastructure initiatives in the region, including the widening of Dhar Road in Udhampur, which was approved by the Ministry of Defence.
He directed the NHAI to expedite remaining work on the Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Expressway to meet timelines. The Juthana bridge was identified for early completion, and plans for the completion of Chattergala Tunnel and revival of the Ujh multipurpose project were discussed to enhance connectivity and water management.
In the healthcare sector, the Union Minister announced that radiation services would soon be operational at the Cancer Centre in Kathua, and a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) facility was sanctioned for Kathua Medical College, complementing the MRI services already available in Jammu and providing advanced diagnostics for local patients.
During the review meeting, Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Rajesh Sharma informed that temporary restoration works of public infrastructure, including roads, power supply and PHE services, were executed in the district.
He further stated that proposals under permanent restoration were being formulated to reconstruct public utilities damaged due to floods and heavy rains.
Local MLAs, Dr Bharat Bhushan and Rajiv Jasrotia; chairman, DDC, Kathua, Col (retired) Mahan Singh; vice chairman, DDC, Raghunandan Singh; several other public representatives; and Superintendent of Police (Operations), Mukund Tibrewal were among those present in the review meeting.