Srinagar, 16 August 2026 : Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo has directed Jammu & Kashmir departments to accelerate the implementation of the Recovery & Reconstruction (R&R) Plan–2025 and ensure that every asset rebuilt with disaster recovery funds is stronger and more resilient to future disasters.
The directions were issued during a detailed review of the ₹1,579.09 crore disaster recovery package sanctioned for Jammu & Kashmir by the Government of India under the NDRF/SDRF Recovery & Reconstruction funding window.
The package includes ₹1,534.58 crore approved following the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) for damages caused by floods, cloudbursts, landslides and other disasters, along with ₹44.52 crore earmarked for the dedicated recovery plan for Ramban district following the April 2025 cloudburst and flash floods.
₹1,225.78 Crore Action Plans Prepared
Reviewing the implementation status, Dulloo noted that departments have so far prepared costed action plans worth ₹1,225.78 crore, leaving ₹353.31 crore yet to be operationalized, particularly by the Jal Shakti and Agriculture sectors.
He stressed that disaster recovery must go beyond simply replacing damaged infrastructure with similar assets.
The Chief Secretary directed executing agencies to strictly adopt the “Build Back Better” (BBB) approach so that reconstructed infrastructure can withstand future disasters.
Focus on Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure
Departments have been instructed to incorporate appropriate resilience measures, including:
- Compliance with Seismic Zone IV/V requirements wherever applicable
- Elevated plinths in vulnerable areas
- Slope stabilization measures
- Disaster-resilient design and construction
- Greater use of flexible assistance available under the recovery framework
Dulloo also ordered strict cross-verification of beneficiary lists and project proposals against major government schemes, including PMAY-G, Jal Jeevan Mission, AMRUT, SASCI, NABARD, PMGSY and Samagra Shiksha, to prevent duplication and ensure efficient use of public funds.
All Projects to Be Geo-Tagged
The Chief Secretary directed departments to geo-tag all projects immediately and upload them on the BEAMS digital platform.
The move will establish a unified digital record for tracking physical progress, financial expenditure and project outcomes.
Roads & Bridges Among Strongest Performing Sectors
Principal Secretary, DMRR&R Chandraker Bharti briefed the meeting on sector-wise progress.
The Social Sector has formulated plans worth ₹262.11 crore against an approved allocation of ₹289.40 crore.
The Housing sector has achieved 100% commitment of its ₹193.19 crore allocation, covering 9,083 households — including 5,227 fully damaged and 3,856 severely damaged houses.
The Roads & Bridges sector has planned its entire ₹461.64 crore allocation, targeting restoration of approximately 1,230.7 km of roads and 4,494.5 metres of bridges.
The Power sector has planned expenditure of ₹70.08 crore against ₹72.97 crore, targeting restoration of more than 21,000 poles, 1,100 circuit kilometres of conductors and 800 transformers, benefiting around 1.45 lakh consumers.
Water, Irrigation & Agriculture Projects Underway
The Drinking Water & Sanitation sector has formulated plans worth ₹59.02 crore against ₹139.65 crore.
Irrigation & Flood Control has planned ₹93.01 crore against an approved ₹199.79 crore and is working towards full utilization of the available funds.
In the productive sectors, Agriculture has prepared plans worth ₹168.36 crore against ₹223.67 crore, covering 45 packages related 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 Dedicated Ramban Recovery Plan
The Chief Secretary separately reviewed the ₹44.52 crore Ramban recovery plan, prepared following the cloudburst and flash floods of 19–20 April 2025.
The plan includes:
- ₹23.24 crore for Roads & Bridges
- ₹3.34 crore for Irrigation & Flood Control
- ₹1.78 crore for Education
- ₹1.48 crore for Animal Husbandry & Livestock
The approved and proposed allocations in these components have been fully reconciled.
Strict 30:40:30 DBT Pattern for Household Relief
Dulloo directed authorities to ensure that household assistance is released strictly according to the 30:40:30 progress-linked Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) pattern.
This, he said, would ensure that payments remain linked to the actual progress of reconstruction.
He also instructed block, sub-divisional and district-level Nodal Officers to resolve E-Samadhan and CPGRAMS grievances within 15 days, making grievance redressal an integral part of disaster recovery monitoring.
“Build Back Better” for a Disaster-Ready J&K
The Chief Secretary emphasized that the recovery programme must deliver more than the restoration of damaged infrastructure.
The objective, he said, should be to create a stronger, safer and more disaster-ready Jammu & Kashmir, ensuring that every rupee sanctioned translates into durable public infrastructure and meaningful relief for affected communities.
The review meeting was attended by senior officers including the Additional Chief Secretary, Finance; Additional Chief Secretary, PWD; Principal Secretary, DMRR&R; Director, CD & SDRF; Administrative Secretaries; Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir; and other senior officials. Deputy Commissioners from all 20 districts participated virtually.
