Jammu, October 17, 2026: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology and Environment, and Tribal Affairs Javed Ahmed Rana has directed officials to expedite ongoing drinking water, irrigation and flood-control projects across Jammu division, with priority given to works nearing completion before the onset of winter.
Rana issued the directions while chairing a review meeting at the Civil Secretariat in Jammu on October 16 to assess the physical and financial progress of schemes being implemented by the Jal Shakti Department and the Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department.
During the meeting, officials briefed the Minister on the status of ongoing projects, achievements, implementation bottlenecks and expenditure against sanctioned and allocated funds. Rana stressed the need to accelerate execution and ensure that projects meet prescribed timelines and quality standards.
Incomplete Drinking Water Schemes Get Priority
Reviewing the Jal Shakti Department’s progress, Rana directed officials to prioritise incomplete drinking water supply schemes and make every effort to commission them at the earliest.
He emphasised advance functional testing of pipelines, pumping systems, storage tanks and associated infrastructure to identify and rectify technical deficiencies before the schemes become operational.
The Minister said timely testing and corrective action were essential to ensure smooth commissioning and reliable drinking water supplies for residents.
He also called for stronger field-level monitoring, directing officers to conduct regular inspections, particularly of projects at advanced stages of completion, to maintain quality and prevent delays.
Flood Protection and Channel Desilting to Be Accelerated
Reviewing the Irrigation and Flood Control Department’s work, Rana directed officials to prioritise the desilting of water channels and strengthen flood-protection infrastructure and embankments along vulnerable stretches.
He also asked the department to submit a comprehensive river-wise status report detailing progress on flood-protection works. Emphasising the importance of preparedness before winter, he called for focused attention on vulnerable areas and timely completion of essential protective measures.
The directions are aimed at improving the preparedness of water channels and flood-protection infrastructure, particularly in locations requiring urgent attention.
Capex and SASCI Projects Under Review
The Minister also reviewed development works being executed under the Capital Expenditure (Capex) and Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) schemes.
He directed officers to remove bottlenecks affecting implementation, accelerate project execution and ensure the timely utilisation of allocated funds. All works, he stressed, must adhere to prescribed timelines and quality standards, with regular monitoring to assess progress on the ground.
Emphasis on Financial Discipline and Accountability
Rana underscored the importance of transparency, accountability and prudent utilisation of public funds. He directed officials to ensure that physical progress keeps pace with financial expenditure and that the funds allocated for development works are used judiciously within the prescribed timelines.
The review meeting highlighted the administration’s focus on completing essential drinking water and flood-management infrastructure ahead of winter. Effective implementation of the directions will be important for improving water supply reliability, strengthening flood preparedness and ensuring timely delivery of public infrastructure projects across Jammu division.