JAMMU, Feb 11: A committee is constituted regarding construction and extension of Sher-e-Kashmir Bridge at Poonch. Vide Government Order No: /2 4 -GAD of 2016, Dated: 11 .02.2016.
Whereas, the approach road of Sher-e-Kashmir Bridge at Poonch, on north side, was damaged during the floods of September, 2014. The department had decided to extend the bridge by constructing 2 more spans of 35 meters each; and Whereas, the Executive Engineer, PW(R&B) Division Poonch invited tenders for its extension; and Whereas, a writ petition OWP bearing No.162912014 titled Bhagat Raj and Ors V/s State & Ors has been filed in the Hon'ble Court seeking quashment of the tender published for these works on the plea that extension of the bridge will create threat to life and property of the petitioners; and Whereas; the Hon'ble High Court passed directions on 21.02.2015 that the respondents were at liberty to process the tender but shall not finalize it. However, after following the case vigorously, the Hon'ble High Court in its order dated 29.05.2015 directed as under;- "For aforementioned, writ petition is admitted. However, having regard to the public interest and urgency involved in the matter, interim direction issued(CTN) by the Court on 21.10.2014 is modified by providing that respondents may go ahead with the extension of the bridge, subject however, to the conditions that: i. The State Government shall, before taking up the physical work on extension of the bridge, constitute a committee comprising of the Deputy Commissioner, Poonch, Chief Engineer, (Cross Town News)Irrigation and Flood Control Jammu and such other members as the Government
may deem proper, who shall after notice to the petitioners identify the lands/properties of the petitioners likely to - be affected by the flood water passing under the extended span of the bridge at its peak discharge and submit report to this court within weeks; and ii. the State Government, through the Chief Secretary of the State, shall on receipt of the committee's report come forward with suggestions as to what may be done to address the grievance of the petitioners, if it is found the affected area would include their lands/houses also." Whereas; in compliance of the Hon'ble Court order, vide Government Order No.130-PW(R&B) of 2015 dated 04.06.2015, a committee comprising the following members was constituted:-
i. Deputy Commissioner, Poonch (Chairman).
ii. Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control, Jammu.
iii. Executive Engineer, PW(R&B) Division, Poonch.
iv. Tehsildar, Poonch (Haveli);
Whereas; the Deputy Commissioner, Poonch submitted the report of the committee with the following recommendations: i. Flood protection bund constructed on upper side of bridge (on northern berm of Poonch River) by Irrigation & Flood Control recently be extended upto bridge and also 650 meters downstream of bridge so that properties other than the above referred could be protected and safeguarded from further loss in future. ii. Compensation as may be decided by authorities be paid to the legal owners of the IandJproprietary IandJMaroosi land. iii. The case of those persons who claim holding evacuee land as allottees (but are not as per records, actual allottees) be decided by authorities. iv. The case of persons holding state land on illegal basis be also considered for compensation or otherwise. v. The cost of structures worked out by R&B Department be paid to the owners in terms of standing rules/government orders. vi. Government may think about rehabilitation of those sufferers who suffer total loss. Funds for the same may also be arranged accordingly thereafter; Whereas, the key recommendations are to be acted upon by Divisional Commissioner, Jammu/Deputy Commissioner, Poonch and Chief Engineer, Irrigation & Flood Control, Jammu. Now, therefore, sanction is hereby accorded to the constitution of a Committee, comprising the following, to examine the recommendations/report submitted by the Deputy Commissioner, Poonch regarding construction and extension of Sher-e-Kashmir Bridge at Poonch:-
i DivCom-Jammu Chairman
ii DC poonch
iii Chief Engineer (PHE)
iv Chief Engineer (R&B)
The committee shall finalize the action plan and submit the same to the Government in Public Works (R&B) Department for consideration.
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