As Zeenews.com reports, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said government was working on a “comprehensive flood protection project” to increase the intake capacity of rivers and revive flood channels.
“We should be amply prepared and alert to the threats of heavy floods so that we are not caught unaware at the time of emergency, ” said Chief Minister after inaugurating Rs 21.38 crore River Jhelum dredging project in Baramulla district.
He also added that the dredging operation in river Jhelum is the part of this strategy.
“ The importance of the river Jhelum dredging project can be visualised from the fact that the first dredger was inaugurated by then Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru at Baramulla 60 years ago, ” added Omar.
“ While we feel satisfied by constructing bridges, roads, schools, colleges, water supply installations and similar other development schemes… when we create flood protection like facilities we pray to god that we may not be compelled to put these measures to use, ” Omar concluded.
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Dredging Today Staff, March 25, 2012; Image: greaterkashmir