J&K government has issued fresh directions for the maintenance of Jhelum embankments. It has called for carrying out “proper engineering assessments” to understand the vulnerability of the banks to future “high discharge”.
The directions have been issued to the divisional commissioner Kashmir, the deputy commissioner Srinagar and public health engineering department by the disaster management minister Javid Mustafa Mir.
The directions issued in the shape of an order, a copy of which is in possession of Greater Kashmir, provide that nobody would be allowed to weaken the Jhelum embankments.
“Indiscriminate sand extraction should be stopped forthwith and proper engineering assessments should be carried out to understand the vulnerability of the embankments to future high discharge and flood situations.
“The extraction of silt part of dredging programme, may be allowed, strictly accordance with the terms and conditions laid down in the contract agreement and no violation be allowed,” it provides.
Chief engineer I&FC has been directed to ensure strict compliance.
“No truck, tipper or any other carriage vehicle will be allowed to move on the river embankments which are not designed for carrying such loads and no vehicle may be allowed to enter into the river bed.
“Wherever earth filling is necessary for embankments, proper compaction, as per specifications should be followed,” the order reads.
Public health engineering department has been asked not to lay water supply line “in the embankment of the river.”
The officials have also been asked to ascertain cause of the seepage and immediate remedial measures should be taken.
The order provides that proper structural design should be adopted for flood protection works.