Jammu, Mar 25: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the progress of the Tawi Artificial Lake and Riverfront Development Project in Jammu.
The review covered key components including riverfront development works, barrage construction, sewerage interception, and protection measures being executed under the Smart City initiative.
The meeting was attended by the Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti Department; Commissioner Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department (H&UDD); Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; Commissioner Secretary, Law; Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC); Deputy Commissioner, Jammu; Chief Engineer, PWD/UEED; and other concerned officers.
The Chief Secretary undertook a detailed assessment of both completed and ongoing works, including new initiatives aimed at enhancing the project’s aesthetic appeal and public utility.
He also reviewed restoration works necessitated by damages caused during last year’s flash floods. Stressing the importance of timely completion, he directed all concerned departments to ensure that this major city beautification project is dedicated to the public at the earliest, with all requisite amenities in place.
Reviewing the progress of the Tawi Barrage (Artificial Lake), Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti Department, Shaleen Kabra informed that all 31 gates, including 11 at Waddi Tawi and 20 at Nikki Tawi, have largely been installed, with hydromechanical works nearing completion.
He detailed that the electrical works, including transformers, have seen progress of around 70 percent, while HT and LT panels have reached 60 percent completion. Similarly, he added that the main distribution panels (80 percent) and SCADA systems (50 percent) are at advanced stages. Civil works such as piers, cement concrete blocks, toe walls, gabions, and the control room building (98 percent complete) are nearing completion, although some components at Nikki Tawi are still in progress.
He further informed that the remaining works required for operationalisation of barrage gates, including embedded components and concreting of service gate grooves, are targeted for completion by the month end.
Commissioner Secretary, H&UDD, Mandeep Kaur informed that Phase 1 (Part A) of the riverfront project has been completed. This phase includes the development of a 2.7 km long four level promenade and 2.5 km of interceptor drains, resulting in the reclamation of approximately 440 kanals of land.
She added that retaining walls have been constructed 1.5 metres above the highest flood level recorded in 2014 and have withstood recent flood events without any distress, demonstrating the robustness of the design and execution.
Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Ramesh Kumar apprised the meeting that construction of a four-lane road on the right bank is progressing steadily. The project includes a 35 metre span RCC bridge over the Ranbir Canal and Distributary 9, with 50 percent physical and 33 percent financial progress achieved so far.
He stated that the road will connect Bhagwati Nagar rotary with Bikram Chowk and is expected to significantly ease congestion along the Canal Road Jewel Chowk corridor. Protection works, drainage, and underground utility provisions are also included in this component, he apprised the meeting.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed protection works being executed by UEED at multiple vulnerable locations, including Christian Colony, Gujjar Nagar, Prem Nagar, and Jogi Gate, along with retaining wall and nallah diversion works near Peer Kho. The total project cost for these works is ₹11.96 crore and is currently under tendering.
Regarding the interception and diversion of major nallahs, it was informed that two major packages are under execution. In Package 1, covering the Gujjar Nagar to Tawi Bridge stretch, civil works have reached 92 percent completion, while Package 2 on the right bank has achieved 85 percent completion, including RCC pipeline laying and construction of a 10 MLD equalisation tank. Some works were damaged during flash floods in August 2025, and restoration is currently underway, with revised timelines extending to March.
Emphasising timely completion, the Chief Secretary directed all executing agencies to accelerate the pace of work, maintain strict quality control, and adhere to project timelines, particularly in view of the upcoming flood season. He reiterated that the project will transform Jammu into a modern riverfront city, enhancing urban mobility, flood management, environmental sustainability, and economic potential.
