Lessons in Planning and Execution
The list of projects is long, but this article highlights a few key cases.
Jhelum Dredging & Flood Spill Channel
After the 2014 floods in Kashmir, the Comprehensive Flood Management Plan (CFMP) was launched to increase Jhelum River’s capacity. Phase I, with ₹399.29 crore, aimed to raise capacity from 31,800 to 41,000 cusecs; by 2025, this was achieved only partially, with many projects delayed or left incomplete. Phase II, estimated at ₹1,623.43 crore, remains largely stalled, with just ₹114 crore spent. RTI reports revealed lack of dredging since 2020 and 1,884 encroachments along riverbanks obstructing flow. Critical stretches of the Flood Spill Channel, including Shariefabad and Naidkhai, are still ineffective, and the proposed ₹18,000-crore Dogripora–Wular flood channel remains unbuilt. Mismanagement, incomplete works, and environmental degradation have rendered the CFMP largely ineffective, leaving Kashmir vulnerable to recurring floods.
Wular Lake Conservation Project
Launched in 2011 with ₹120 crore, the Wular Lake Conservation Project aimed to dredge 20 million m³, remove encroachments, and promote eco-tourism. By 2017, only 6 million m³ (30%) dredged; willow removal negligible. Satellite imagery shows water spread shrinking from 273 sq km to 130 sq km. Fish stock declined 70%, migratory birds halved. Encroachments still cover nearly 27% of the lake area. Despite ₹60 crore spent on infrastructure and riverfront restoration, illegal settlements, siltation, and water pollution persist, undermining flood control, biodiversity, and tourism objectives, highlighting systemic execution gaps.
Dal Lake Beautification & Protection
Once covering 22 sq km, Dal Lake has shrunk to less than 10 sq km despite ₹759 crore spent on STPs, weed removal, and resettlement. The STPs treat only 30% of sewage, and thousands of illegal constructions still stand. Justice Bashir Ahmad Khan’s 2006–07 orders mandated the demolition of structures within a 130-foot buffer and the realignment of houseboats. Enforcement failed, and many encroachments remain. As part of conservation efforts, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has planned to remove approximately 20 lakh willow trees and 2 crore cubic meters of silt from the lake.
Doodh Ganga Pollution Control
Since 2015, ₹140 crore has been spent on sewage treatment plants (STPs) for Srinagar (163 MLD), Chadoora (4.3 MLD), and Budgam (1.62 MLD). Despite this, only 60 MLD of Srinagar’s sewage is treated, while Chadoora and Budgam have no functional STPs. Pump stations continue to discharge untreated sewage into the Doodh Ganga channel, and encroachments along drains and water channels worsen pollution. Over 700,000 residents remain at risk. Project progress is under 30%, reflecting poor planning, weak inter-department coordination, and incomplete construction.
Srinagar Ring Road Expansion
The 60-km bypass, passing through key areas including Galander, Narbal, Sumbal, and Wayul, is divided into Phase-I (42 km) and Phase-II (18.84 km). Phase-I is only 71.5% complete, with several major bridges, junctions, and interchanges unfinished. Phase-II remains largely unstarted due to land acquisition delays in 18 villages, incomplete roadbed, and pending forest clearances over 120 hectares. Despite ₹1,100 crore of ₹1,860 crore spent, physical progress is under 65%. Delays have increased costs, stalled traffic decongestion, and left commuters and freight movement affected.
Jhelum Cruise Boats Project
In 2017, ₹6 crore was spent to boost river tourism, including two luxury boats costing ₹1.4 crore each. Floating jetties were completed in 2021, but the boats have never been used because of bridge clearance problems. Over seven years, the investment has gone unused, leading to an estimated annual loss of ₹50 lakh in missed opportunities.
Pakal Dul Hydroelectric Project (1,000 MW)
Approved in 2014 at ₹8,112 crore, the project’s cost has risen to ₹12,669 crore, and the original 2020 completion has been pushed to 2026–27. Progress has been slowed by tunneling difficulties, contractor disputes, and challenging terrain.
Sawalakot Hydropower & Tunnels (1,856 MW)
Planned since the 1960s at ₹22,704 crore, the project remains stalled due to unpaid contractors, land disputes, and ecological hurdles. Despite heavy investment, no power has been generated, and recurring stoppages have caused significant cost escalation.
Lessons
Across projects, failures stem from weak planning, fragmented accountability, insufficient risk assessment, and lack of monitoring. Proper project management with phased execution, milestone tracking, stakeholder coordination, financial oversight, and contingency planning could have optimized resources, prevented cost escalations, and turned stalled projects into functional public assets. Real-time analytics and strict governance would have delivered intended benefits in flood mitigation, ecological restoration, energy security, and urban infrastructure.
