Jammu, October 24: The Apex Committee has accorded in-principle approval to three major urban development projects proposed by Jammu and Kashmir under the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF), with a combined project cost of ₹2,692.58 crore TARAnG Project for Jammu's Tawi River Front.
The projects, proposed for Jammu, Katra and Srinagar, focus on riverfront regeneration, pilgrimage infrastructure, heritage conservation, lakefront development and green urban growth. The Union Territory had sought Central Assistance of ₹420.29 crore for the three projects.
As per details with Cross Town News, the approved projects include the Tawi Area Regeneration and Green Growth (TARAnG) initiative in Jammu, Katra Revitalization Through Integrated Pilgrimage Amenities (KRIPA), and the Walled City and Nigeen Lakefront Revitalization project in Srinagar.
Jammu’s Tawi Riverfront Project
The TARAnG project, estimated to cost ₹1,567.91 crore, has received in-principle approval with maximum Central Assistance of ₹169 crore.
The Presentation was given earlier by Commissioner Secretary Housing & Urban Development Department J&K Mandeep Kour, then CEO Jammu Smart City Devansh Yadav and Team members.
Covering an integrated influence area of approximately four square kilometres, the project envisages a 4.30-km protected Tawi riverfront corridor, a seven-kilometre public promenade, interception of seven polluted outfalls, a barrage, an iconic bridge, multi-level parking and commercial facilities, a sports and recreation hub, and a civic hub. Proposed under a 99-year hybrid public-private partnership (PPP) model, the project aims to regenerate around 107 acres of riverfront, protect 2.15 km of upstream riverbank and generate approximately 10,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The committee also examined issues related to flooding, regulatory approval for the proposed rubber barrage and PPP-related project preparation support. The UT administration informed the committee that no flooding impact had been reported on the riverfront infrastructure developed so far and that regulatory approval for the rubber barrage had been obtained at the State-Level Technical Committee meeting.
Katra Pilgrimage Infrastructure
The Katra Revitalization Through Integrated Pilgrimage Amenities (KRIPA) project, estimated at ₹113.90 crore, has received in-principle approval with admissible Central Assistance of ₹28 crore. The project seeks to address the lack of an organised arrival hub and parking facilities for more than 85 lakh pilgrims visiting Katra annually. Its key components include a Katra Gateway Centre, a multi-level car parking-cum-commercial complex and the remodelling of institutional spaces. To be developed under a 40-year Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model, the project is expected to generate around 570 construction jobs and 200 permanent jobs.
Srinagar’s Walled City and Nigeen Lakefront Revitalization
The Walled City and Nigeen Lakefront Revitalization project, estimated to cost ₹1,010.77 crore, has received in-principle approval with Central Assistance of ₹75.19 crore.
The Presentation was given earlier by Commissioner Secretary Housing & Urban Development Department J&K Mandeep Kour, then CEO Srinagar Smart City Faz Lul Haseeb and Team members.
The project envisages the development of a 4.5-hectare lakefront, restoration and revitalisation of heritage structures, improvement of access roads and public spaces, and the creation of sports facilities. It also includes a hospitality and water sports centre and the adaptive reuse of the erstwhile Leprosy Hospital through a public-private partnership.
The project is expected to generate more than 8,500 jobs, mobilise ₹710 crore in private investment and address more than 75 urban flooding points. The proposed financing plan includes ₹75.19 crore in State support and ₹860.39 crore through market financing and PPP arrangements.
The Apex Committee clarified that the final amount of Central Assistance for all three projects will be determined on the basis of the approved Detailed Project Reports and awarded tender costs, subject to the eligibility of components under the Urban Challenge Fund.
|