₹1,579 crore disaster recovery package: Dulloo calls for faster execution, resilient reconstruction

Ziraat Times News Desk

SRINAGAR, AUGUST 16: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo today reviewed the implementation of the Recovery & Reconstruction (R&R) Plan–2025 and utilization of the ₹1,579.09 crore disaster recovery assistance sanctioned for Jammu & Kashmir, directing departments to accelerate project formulation and execution while ensuring that reconstructed assets are made resilient to future disasters.

The review meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretaries of Finance and PWD, Principal Secretary DMRR&R, Director CD & SDRF, Administrative Secretaries, Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir and other senior officers. Deputy Commissioners from all 20 districts participated virtually.

The Chief Secretary took detailed stock of the ₹1,579.09 crore recovery package approved by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) under the NDRF/SDRF R&R Funding Window. The package includes ₹1,534.58 crore approved through the Ministry of Home Affairs for Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) of damages caused by floods, cloudbursts, landslides and other disasters, besides ₹44.52 crore earmarked for the dedicated Ramban District recovery plan following the April 2025 cloudburst and flash floods.

Reviewing progress, Dulloo noted that departments have so far prepared costed action plans amounting to ₹1,225.78 crore, leaving ₹353.31 crore to be operationalized by the Jal Shakti and Agriculture sectors.

Focus on ‘Build Back Better’

Emphasizing that disaster recovery should go beyond restoring damaged infrastructure to its pre-disaster condition, the Chief Secretary directed executing agencies to strictly follow the ‘Build Back Better’ (BBB) approach.

He called for reconstructed assets to incorporate appropriate disaster-resilient features, including compliance with Seismic Zone IV/V requirements, elevated plinths and slope stabilization measures wherever applicable.

Departments were also asked to optimally utilize both norm-based and flexible assistance available under the approved recovery framework to meet incremental resilience requirements.

Dulloo directed strict cross-verification of beneficiary lists and project proposals with major ongoing schemes, including PMAY-G, Jal Jeevan Mission, AMRUT, SASCI, NABARD, PMGSY and Samagra Shiksha, to eliminate duplication and ensure optimal use of public resources.

He further directed that all projects be geo-tagged forthwith and uploaded on the BEAMS digital platform to create a unified digital record for monitoring physical progress, financial utilization and project outcomes.

Roads, housing emerge as major components

Giving a sector-wise review, Principal Secretary DMRR&R Chandraker Bharti informed the meeting that significant progress has been achieved across several components of the recovery programme.

In the Social Sector, against an approved allocation of ₹289.40 crore, departments have formulated plans amounting to ₹262.11 crore.

The Housing component has achieved 100 per cent commitment of its ₹193.19 crore allocation, covering 9,083 households, including 5,227 fully and 3,856 severely damaged houses.

Roads & Bridges has emerged as one of the strongest-performing infrastructure components, with the entire allocation of ₹461.64 crore planned for restoration of approximately 1,230.7 km of roads and 4,494.5 metres of bridges.

In the Power sector, ₹70.08 crore has been planned against an allocation of ₹72.97 crore. The works target restoration of more than 21,000 poles, 1,100 circuit kilometres of conductors and 800 transformers, benefiting around 1.45 lakh consumers.

The Drinking Water & Sanitation component has so far formulated plans for ₹59.02 crore against ₹139.65 crore, while Irrigation & Flood Control has planned ₹93.01 crore against ₹199.79 crore. Both sectors are in the process of utilizing the full allocation available.

Agriculture, horticulture and livestock

In the productive sectors, Agriculture has formulated plans worth ₹168.36 crore against an approved allocation of ₹223.67 crore. The plans cover 45 packages relating to crop inputs, land reclamation and restoration of research infrastructure at SKUAST-Jammu.

Animal Husbandry & Livestock has planned ₹8.86 crore against ₹10.28 crore, while Horticulture has fully utilized its ₹3.87 crore allocation, benefiting 3,493 farmers.

₹44.52 crore Ramban recovery plan reviewed

The Chief Secretary also reviewed the dedicated ₹44.52 crore Ramban recovery plan prepared following the cloudburst and flash floods of April 19–20, 2025.

The plan includes ₹23.24 crore for Roads & Bridges, ₹3.34 crore for Irrigation & Flood Control, ₹1.78 crore for Education and ₹1.48 crore for Animal Husbandry & Livestock. Approved and proposed allocations in these components have been fully reconciled.

DBT payments linked to reconstruction progress

Dulloo directed that household relief under the recovery programme be disbursed strictly in accordance with the 30:40:30 progress-linked Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) pattern, ensuring that payments remain aligned with the actual progress of reconstruction.

He also directed block, sub-divisional and district-level Nodal Officers to ensure complete resolution of E-Samadhan and CPGRAMS grievances within 15 days, making grievance redressal an integral part of the recovery monitoring mechanism.

The Chief Secretary underscored that the recovery programme should result not merely in timely restoration of damaged assets but in a more resilient and disaster-ready Jammu & Kashmir, with every rupee sanctioned translating into durable public infrastructure and tangible relief for affected communities.