<span style="color: #222222;">Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Dr. Jitendra Singh today chaired a review meeting on Pollution abatement of river Devika and Tawi in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir under National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) through video conferencing.<br />'' <br />'' The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Department Dheeraj Gupta, Udhampur Deputy Commissioner Piyush Singla besides district officers of various departments and line agencies, consultant Engineers and contractors.<br />'' <br />'' Speaking on occasion, Dr. Jitendra Singh maintained that this project is of national importance and is among the prestigious projects of Central Government announced by Prime Minister himself. He asked the contractors and other executing agencies to expedite the work on the project so that it can be completed within the stipulated time frame.<br />'' <br />'' While highlighting the importance of the project, Dr. Singh  said that the project would have a significant and direct beneficial impact in terms of reduction of pollution load on the two rivers and improvement in their water quality. He directed the officers to carry a review of the project on a daily basis and asked them to work in coordination while executing the project. He urged upon the executing agencies to maintain the quality of work besides expediting the progress of work on said project.<br />'' <br />'' Speaking on the occasion,  the Principal Secretary said that the project has been sanctioned to supplement the efforts of the Union Territory Administration in pollution abatement at identified stretches of various rivers through National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) on a cost-sharing basis. He informed the meeting that the total sanctioned cost of the project is 186.74 crore rupees, which will be shared between the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir on a 90:10 cost-sharing basis. He added that the construction works are divided into three zones and the work is going on smoothly at all the sites.<br />'' <br />'' The major components under the project include laying of 124.22 kilometres of sewer lines (which will ensure full sewerage system in Udhampur town), setting up of three sewage pumping stations and construction of three Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs). The project will also cover non-sewerage works relating to river front development in a length of around 340 metres at three bathing ghats, including Mela Ghat, construction of two improved wood crematoria to minimize wood consumption and ash disposal, recreational park, renovation of old heritage structures besides public awareness activities.<br />'' <br />''<br />''Dr. Jitendra Singh undertook a virtual site inspection of the project to assess the progress of work. He also interacted with some locals and civil society members during the virtual site inspection.</span>