ROLE OF ENGINEERS IN DEVELOPMENT

OF J&K STATE IN 21^ST CENTURY

The new century has dawned on us, with high expectations, carrying some spectacular successes, and some bitter memories of the past. The J & K State faces serious problems and challenges, centered around, unprecedented disturbing situation, coupled with rise in population. The pace of all walks of life, has got accelerated, during the last half century, and so, has been the case, with the growing anxieties, and events, causing misery, and death, during its last decade.

We welcomed the 21^st Century, with an estimated population of one crore, and shall be seeing it off, with an estimated present decadal growth of about 30% i.e., thirteen times more. That means, we shall be needing an infrastructures as many times, if we have to keep pace, with the rising population challenges.

The need for more living space, more food, water and power, more infrastructure, the need to manage the stupendous waste generated by rapidly increasing population, invites Engineers to play their role to face the challenges.

The achievement of the engineers in last century can be gauged from some of the available statistics (enclosed separately)

At the beginning of 20^th century with 8.14-lakh populations, there was absence of roads for vehicular traffic in Kashmir. Now we have 13800 KMs of roads. There was no electricity in 1900 AD Mohra powerhouse was set up in 1907-08 (18 MW’s). The need for perspective planning – well in advance and mobilization of (already scarce), resources, and proper man-power planning, to handle the situation, with strong political will and enforcement, shall be required to keep pace with time in J & K State. Presently Financial Crunch, due to various reasons besides diversion of funds, to non developmental works like security measures, as warranted by the circumstances, has affected adversely, the achievement of targets, during the last decade, still the Engineers have risen to the occasion, and worked among adverse conditions, even-risking their lives. Credit needs to be given, to those who stood in their position when safe return to their homes, from duties, at the end of the day, or even staying at home, was full of risks, and mental agony.

Expansion is a law of nature. Universe is expanding in unlimited space so are our cities but there is resulting into shrinking of ground space.

There is fan accelerated thrust of change, in all sectors of life, all over the world, for example in the formation of the cities, we are now undergoing the most extensive and rapid urbanization, the World has every seen. In 1850, only four cities, on the face of earth, had had population of 10 lakhs or more, by 1900, the number, had increased to nineteen. But by 1960, there were 141, and to-day, world Urban population, is rocketing upwards, at a rate of 6.5% per year, according to the institute of social science in the Hague. This single stark statistic means a doubling of the earth’s urban population, within eleven years.

One can imagine, what would happen if all existing cities, instead of expanding, retained their present size. If this were so, in order to accommodate, the new urban millions, we would have to build a duplicate city, for each of the hundreds that already dot the globe. A new Tokyo, a new Hamburg, a new Rome and Rangoon, a New Delhi, a new Srinagar and a new Jammu – and all within eleven years. (This explains why French urban planners are sketching subterranean cities- stores, museums, warehouses and factories, to be built, under the earth, & why a Japanese architect, has blue- printed, a city, to be built, on stilts out over the occan.

The Srinagar Master Plan, indicates expansion of local area from 236 SQ KMs to 416 SQ. KMs between 2000-2021 and rise in population from 12 lakhs to 23.50 lakhs (this includes tourist and Durbar Move population) With this pace of increase it means that at the end of 2100, we shall be needing about, thirty two times more infrastructure to contain the exploding population growth. Hence, consequent role of challenge to the planners, engineers can be imagined.

Such change, in the ratio between old and new, shall have an electric impact on the habits, beliefs and self-image of people. Never in previous history, has this ratio been transformed, so radically, in so brief a flick of time. What seems to be need of the time, is to help create, the consciousness, needed for man to undertake, the control of change, the guidance of his evolution. For, by making imaginative use, of change, to channel change, we can not only spare ourselves, the trauma of future shock, we can reach out and humanize distant tomorrow.

We have a bitter experience, of abuse of various Master Plans, prepared so far. Particularly the one of the city of Srinagar. Perhaps due to frequent changes of Government and their differing attitudes, coupled with lack of civic sense, of the General Public, resulting into, present disastrous environment.

Though, peace time is an ideal for construction work, yet the real challenge, comes to Engineer, during war time. To restore destruction, within a shortest possible time and under unfavorable trying circumstances – is a real challenge, which we have been facing unprecedently, by proxy, for the last over a decade. We pray for restoration of peace, but as Chinese say, “if you want peace, be prepared for war”, so we have to be prepared to face the war like situation, and deal with the challenges on war footing basis. In the beginning of 20^th century, Lawrence, writes, that the history of Kashmir has witnessed frequent changes of rulers and absence of continuity in the administration, have had a powerful effect, on the character of Kashmiris, but the incidents of physical history of the Valley during nineteenth century, have also done much, to unsettle the people, and to make them suspicious and incredulous. Among the incidents, of physical history, he has described in detail, fires, floods, earth-quakes, famines and choler’s and it is hardly to be wondered at. That a people constantly liable, to these calamites, should be skeptical and doubtful, as to whether things are ordered for the best. He says, that the Kashmiris always gives me the idea, that he has just recovered, from a fright, or that he is expecting some great disaster, and hardly a day passes, with-out reference being made, to the curse under which, the people, have fallen and to the sin, which gave rise to the curse.

The present scenario of thinking, at the beginning of the 21^st century, does not seem to have altered/ changed, except that the nature of disaster, has taken a different shape i.e. instead of natural, it is now-man-made.

In the last century the world has witnessed two No. World wars and the middle of 20^th century has witnessed freedom form Maharaja’s rule to uneasy democratic set-up of J & K State and development through nine No. five year plans for last half century with break up of funding rising from Rs 11.51 crore to Rs 10,000 crores.

It shows that during the fifty years, there is nine hundred times increase in funding.

i) 1^st Plan 1951-56 Rs 11.51 crores

ii) 2^nd Plan 1956-61 Rs 25.95 ,,

iii) 3^rd Plan 1961-66 Rs 61.68 ,,

iv) Inter Plan period 1966-69 Rs 59.50 ,,

v) 4^th Plan 1969-74 Rs 162.85 ,,

vi) 5^th Plan 1974-79 Rs 278.54 ,,

vii) 6^th Plan 1980-85 Rs 918.15 ,,

viii) 7^th Plan 1985-90 Rs 2006.23 ,,

ix) Annual Plan 1990-91 Rs 642.69 ,,

x) Annual Plan 1991-92 Rs 823.46 ,,

xi) 8^th Plan 1992-97 Rs 4520.07 ,,

xii) 9^th Plan 1997-2002 Rs 10,000 ,,

Tenth Five Year Plan

India will embark on its tenth five-year plan from April 1, 2002 aiming at a higher growth rate of the economy at 8 percent annum in the period 2002-07.

Sustained economic growth, averaging around 6 percent, during the last two decades, has not translated its self, into visible gains, in terms of poverty alleviation or the guarantee of basic minimum needs of rural India, which accounts for nearly three fourths, of the one billion population. With this background, the approach paper, for the tenth plan, drawing lessons from the past, outlines a strategy, which integrated higher growth, with equity and social justices.

All the five-year plans, had kept amelioration of poverty, and full employment as basic objectives, but the bulk of public resources had been allocated for the Development of Physical infrastructure. The Planning Commission has set, specific monitorable targets, such as reduction of poverty-ratio to 20 percent from the current estimated 26 to 30 percent by 2007, employment for the addition to the labour force, during the plan period, universal access to primary education and increase in literacy to 72 percent (form 65 percent at present) by 2007, lowering of infant mortality rate, and provision of potable drinking water in villages,

Social development, relatively, neglected so far, is a vast area, where the private sector, will not venture, to invest or participate, to any significant extent, the State has to ensure fair competitions, and safeguard consumer’s interest.

Economic liberalization of the 1990’s, yielding place to market forces, altered the contours of planning, and the role of the Govt, from a controller to a facilitator. Planning has now become more indicative in character, especially for the private sector, that contributes the major part of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through agriculture, industry and services.

REFORMS OF GOVERNANCE

In this emerging scenario, the Tenth Plan makes a distinct shift, from an investment-oriented approach, to setting a reform agenda, designed to achieve the social targets, through effective governance. It relies on the, mobilization of the energies of Central and State Government, Panchayati Raj institutions, and non governmental organizations, for the accomplishment, of the clearly spelt-out tasks, of social development. Programmes, intended for the poor or targeted groups, must be delivered to them effectively. Many radical changes, in the style of functioning of Government, and its agencies, have been suggested, to bring about greater efficiency, transparency and accountability. The fields of thrust including saving and investment resource Base, infrastructure reforms.

The projected growth of 8 percent will also be linked to, stricken improvements, taking place in infrastructure, particularly in power and railways and investment in irrigation, where Engineer has to play his role.

Power Sector

Power sector has taken a tortuous coarse, over several years, with the result, that very few private investments, have materialized so far, while the states have not implemented, agreed decisions on, revising power tariff. Reorganization of electricity boards, to make them viable and reliable purchasers, of power generated, in the private sector, has been accomplished, in only a few states. Resistance to major structural changes, in the working of the railways, form within has to be over-come, to generate revenue, for urgently required investments on tracks maintenance and safety. During the period ahead in J&K construction of alternative National Highway, widening of existing Highway to 4-lane traffic is on the cards.

We must expect completion of the rail link to the valley, involving massive tunneling, through mountainous reaches, during this century.

By learning the lesson, form the past mistakes, in fixing priorities, it is felt that all other development could wait, but maximum thrust should have been given to the Development of power in J&K State, where nature was benevolent regarding hydro potential. This could have led to all other subsequent development like roads, building and other infrastructure, still time is not lost, when this sector can be prioritized. Taking an example, from he Scandinavian countries, who just manufacture and export hydroelectric power and import the rest commodities, which may even be a match box.

In J&K, we have a hydropower potential of 10,075 Mega watts in Indus, Chenab and Jehlum Basins we have a potential of 4004 Mega Watts; in Indus and Jehlum basins alone, against the present installed capacity of 405 Mega Watts in Kashmir Valley. To check heavy losses, the Hon’ble Chief Minister, has recently hinted at, laying of underground cable, in a phased manner.

The power sector in India including J&K is characterized by an inefficient distribution system, owing to inadequate investment and unplanned growth. This results in large losses, interruption in power, and poor voltage. The lack of metering arrangement, at the various stages of the distribution chain, especially agriculturists without meters, makes it difficult, for a proper energy accounting. Hence the need for an Action Plan.

To effect reforms, in the power sector, the Centre has approved, the accelerated power development programme (APDP). With an outlay of Rs 1000 crores in 2000-01. APDP is expected to bring down, the generation cost, thus bringing down the cost of power to the common person. APDP would finance projects, for renovation and modernization/ life extension/ upgrading, of old power plants, and up gradation of sub transmission and distribution network, including energy accounting and metering. Although the Ministry of Power, has already prepared a plan, and taken steps for generation, of additional one lakh MW of electricity, to meet the power demand by 2012, the APDP scheme is expected to improve the situation in the shutdown. This will give relief of the people, suffering from shortage of electricity. The immediate benefit of the schemes, are expected to be visible, to the people through improvement, in plant inefficiency and renovation and modernization of old plants.

APDP will continue, till the year 2012 with enhanced outlay, form 2001-02 onwards. The 1^st. Phase fifty (50), distribution circles, in 16 different states, have been identification for implementing the programme. It is geared to cover the remaining distribution circle, in the country in a phased manner, utilizing the funds available under APDP.

In the case of special category states, like J&K and Himachel Pradesh, the entire cost of the projects, will be met under APDP in the form of 90% grant and 10% loan. In the case of non special states 50% of the project cost will be met form APDP, out of which half will be in the form of grant, and half as loan. The remaining 50% of the cost of the project, can be met by the utility, form the state’s internal resources, or loans from the Power Finance Corporation, Rural Electrification Corporation, Financial institutions, and supplier’s credit.

Theft of power alone, estimated to cost the country, over Rs 20,000 crores, every year. If this revenue is saved, the power sector can show positive returns. This amount would be sufficient, to wipe out the existing cumulative losses of the State electricity Boards (S.E.B’s).

While the budget, allocation in the current year of for APDP is Rs. 1000 crores, another Rs. 1000 crores in proposed to be raised form institutions like the Power Finance Corporation, IDBI and ICICI.

The High Lights of Budget 2001-02 for Power:

The Central Government, to accelerate the programme of reforms in SEB’s anchored in the Centre-State Partnership are:

a. Time bound programme, for installation of, (100%) hundred percent metering, by December 2001.

b. Energy audit, at all levels.

c. A specific programme, for reduction and eventual, elimination of power theft.

d. Tariff determination, by SERCS and compliance thereof.

e. Commercializing of distribution.

f. SEB restructuring.

g. Allocation of the accelerated power Development programme, (APDP) stepped upto Rs. 1,500 crores, from a level of Rs. 1000 crores in 2000-01.

h. Electricity bill 2001 to be introduced.

i. The plan outlay for central sector Power utilization is being raised form Rs. 9194 crores, for 2000-01, to B.E. of Rs. 10,030 crores for 2001-02.

In the future plans the other thrust areas have to be in Agriculture, Housing, Development of roads, Industries, Protection of cultural Heritage, management of water bodies, traffic and transportation, Irrigation, water supply, drainage and sewerage, solid waste management, education social infrastructure (Health) Urban and Rural Development, Telecommunication, information technology and tapping of non-convential energy sources etc.

Other important sector, inviting our attention in J&K should be to promote Tourism, for which and even for other development, a congenital atmosphere, needs to be got created, to invite tourists, which warrants to buy peace, with our neighboring countries, at any cost. In this connection, aftermath of world war II should provide us a lesson, when after a great massacre and devastation, the warring countries, had to ultimately come round, on the negotiating table, and establish peace, on give and take basis, and have friendly relations, for mutual development, and prosperity. It is hoped that our countries, shall reverse the process, by negotiating, equip pad with mature statesmanship, before devastation take place – pangs of which are felt every day from the media. This must be an immediate concern of all right thinking people. Similarly instead of treating the disease of terrorism, we must locate its cause and check it there.

Once late Mr. B. K. Nehru, the then Governor of J&K, gave at home at Jammu, Raj Bhavan, when there was an annual function of National Anatomical Society of India, in which Doctor form National and some International level attended. While getting introduced, among doctors, I introduced myself as an Engineer, on which the Governor expressed surprise as how come an Engineer among Doctors. I replied, Sir, all existence is a feat of Engineering, God/ was/ is/ will be a perfect Engineer who visualized, planned, designed and executed, this universe, and also created Man, among others, and it is the man who polluted this earth, and that is why, you find so many doctors around. It brought a hearty laughter all around.

Thus the role of an Engineer is to imagine, plan, design execute and maintain, and may be even to destroy in war time and also manage disaster, which process, is on a micro level, a reflection of the task in which Almighty Allah/ Nature is busy, round the clock. If you happen to see bridges constructed on the National Highway from Baramulla to Uri, there are blasting chambers, provided in the masonry abutments fro their destruction during wartime. So destruction and its management is a subject of civil/ Military Engineering when required.

It takes Centuries to build, but a moment to destroy, as we have witnessed on 11 September 2001, disaster of collapsing of World Trade Centre in U.S.A, posing a challenge to the Engineers, to consider new design aspects, for man-made disaster management, in addition to Natural Disaster Management.

Let us pray that we be destined to construct than to Destruct in the century ahead of us.

Incidentally, I may tell you that barring few centenarians we were not there, in this world when last century dawned and we shall not be there when the present century will end, on 2100 AD. So we must leave our short-lived foot prints on the vast sea shore of time.

PROPOSED APPROACH TO REMOVE

RURAL URBAN DISPARITY

Urban is defined in the Census as an area where 75% of employment is in the non-agricultural sector. In the definition of a city, planners, include both urban areas and the rural areas and the rural hinterland within city limits. We have started the new millennium with 40 qualified metropolitan cities in the country and a population of nearly 289 million urban dwellers i.e. about 26% of total population.

According to 1971 Census, almost 50% of the urban population lived in only 515 cities of one lakh or more in size, out of 3119 towns. Presently 65% i.e. 138 million people are in cities where population is between 20,000 to 50,000 people and 17 million i.e. 16% in cities with 5,000 to 20,000 population.

Of the 17 cities with million plus population, the largest is Calcutta, with a population of 9.194 million and the smallest in Lucknow with a population of 1.008 million.

The dominant metropolitan centers, plus other cities of lakh and over, continue to grow at a rapid rate. This is particularly due to the influx of rural migrants, who swell the numbers of sums and shantytowns, in those cities and thus overstrain the already inadequate services of the city.

It is for this group of people that a budget of Rs. 1,87,670 crores was set aside for the period 1997-2002 (9^th Plan).

Metropolitanisation leads to dominance to the city over its entire hinterland. The uneven development of the city Centre and the suburbs results in various regulations of the different areas like lot zoning, raising the taxes, minimum housing size in the inner city and incentive, aimed at pushing large section of the population to the periphery of the city limits.

In 1991 J&K had an estimated urban population of 23% comprising of 52 towns and 6477 villages, in recent Srinagar Master Plan 2000-21, 126 villages have been added in the local area of Srinagar raising its population to 12 lakhs with an increase in area from 28 Sq. KMs to 177 Sq. KMs since 1960.

Today a typical city has over 60% of its population working in the service sector and the contributions to the city economy both through taxes and through consumption of services – account in large measure for the income of the city. The income is reinvested to provide facilities and services to the city dwellers. The analysis show that the income derived form the workers in the city is not ploughed back for the welfare of workers. Instead, it gets spent on decorative and cosmetic improvement by the city municipalities and planners. In rural areas more and more educated inhabitants are now a-days giving up the agricultural occupation and joining service sector and migrate and construct houses in the city areas thus over-burdening, the city services. One of the deterrents to this effect could be to make the city migrants to pay for the heavy costs involved in providing the services, which are absent to them in the villages.

Another measure to check the migration from rural areas to the cities would be to develop small and medium towns with basic social services and improved quality of life and provide/ create more economic opportunities, which would serve as the catchment areas for the migrant populations reducing thereby the strain on city services. Way back in 1980, among 9 Districts in the country. Anantnag town was selected out of J&K Stare to begin small and medium size town development by the Ministry of Housing with the approval of Planning Commission. Its evaluation was envisaged to expand the programme further with desired changes.

Urbanization V/S Ruralization

The idea of development as it presently exists in the minds of individuals and agencies who promote it is more often than not misplaced and misdirected. The model of development we are persuing is predominantly urban in its nature. It tries to create an image of city everywhere, without any discrimination with total disregard to ecological appropriateness and sustainability.

This is why we encroach upon green forests, water bodies, allowing sewage flowing into drains and thereby to lakes and rivers. The development agencies and other vested interests have sold us the idea that urbanization is a necessary outcome of development everywhere. People unconscious of the bounties that nature has provided them in much abundance, lap-up the idea without much verification. They are more than willing to trade off natural environs for artificial ones.

Development need not mean urbanization. In most cases it should mean quite the opposite, especially where it leads to depletion of the basic life sustaining necessities, such as clean air, fresh water, noise free atmosphere. The putrefaction of these resources means an automatic reduction in the quality of life.

Thus in order to protect our/ natural resources the focus of development has to shift from mindless imitation of urban societies to concepts of sustainability and healthy man-environment relationship.

This would mean instead of urbanization of rural areas, we undertake rather ruralization of urban areas.

This would result into: -

1. Halting of development projects and Programmes detrimental to ecology.

2. Reversal of the damage done to ecology through misdirected development.

3. Introduction of ecological concerns at the planning stage.

4. Introduction of environmental education at all levels and various disciplines of the educational systems.

5. The rural concepts need to be reassessed for viability because they are more sustainable. This spans from sustainable water use, to use of human excreta as fertilizer. While the city brings into vogue the use of hazardous chemical fertilizers and pesticides and building of sewer systems ending up in fresh water bodies, the practice of composting of night soil, animal wastes and weeds persists in the villages. This practice is fast being rendered out of fashion by the creeping urban life style, though it is still the most sustainable way to handle waste.

Role of Engineers

Thus, here engineers have a role to promote and disseminate appropriate rural technology, consume and regenerate environment and natural resources, create employment opportunities and economic self-reliance on a sustainable basis.

Thus for drinking purpose, extension of piped water supply, irrigation conversion of water mills into mini electric generating units, on which many such water mills can run, providing telecommunication facilities, roads and bridges, low cost sanitation, biogas plants, smokeless cholas, introduction of paru stoves, which use rice husk repeatedly for cooking etc. Solar and wind technology, cost effective housing technologies suitable to the local climatic conditions to be developed through rural/ urban building centers sponsored by HUDCO, involving proper training, where mud technology has a tremendous scope.

New information technology has rendered the whole world into a Global village not global city. Hence all corners/ cut off places remain connected thus eliminating the feelings of isolation of the villages.

Schemes on the Anvil:

J&K Government has the following various development schemes on the anvil in rural and urban sectors with a proposed allocation of Rs. 188 crores and Rs. 70 crores respectively for the year 2001-2002.

A. Rural Sector

i) Employment assurance scheme.

ii) Jawahar gram simridhi Yojana.

iii) India Awaz Yojana (IAY)

iv) Rural Housing.

v) Credit cum subsidy Housing scheme.

vi) Swaran Jayanti gram Sewa Rozgar Yojana.

vii) Rural Sanitation programme.

B. Urban Sector

a. Urban development sector (including integrated development of small and medium towns).

b. Housing sector.

c. Poverty alleviation (SJSRY)

d. Dal development

e. Sewerage

f. Drainage

Agriculture Scenario

In rural area, agriculture feeds majority of its population. It employs 64% of the state force in J&K and contributes 29% of the gross domestic product. (GDP) the major contributors to the economy of the state are agriculture and its allied sectors like Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Forestry, Fisheries, Sericulture, Floriculture, Poultry, besides Handicrafts and the like. Even the cultural activities, traditional fairs, festivals and ecstasies are agriculture oriented. The Status of agricultural use of the land is as under: -

i. Total land area of state = 24.17 lac hectares

ii. Area meant for agriculture operation = 7.29 lac hectares (30%)

iii. Country average = 45%

iv. a) Total cultivable land available in valley = 5.58 lac hectares

b) Actual cultivable area in valley = 3.45 lac hectares

v. The farmer is loosing interest in the profession due to various reasons as: -

1. Lack of attention of policy maker’s inspite of the tremendous economic, social, cultural and psychosocial influence, wielded by these dwellers of the state.

2. Outlay of agricultural sector is dwindling.

3. Import of food grain, meat, poultry, vegetable, pulses is preferred in large quantities.

4. New disease and pest are showing their appearance.

5. Soil degradation is growing, use of high yielding seeds, expansion of irrigation facilities and use of chemical fertilizers are some of the areas where farmers get deceived. The market is full of spurious manure, selling many times higher than the actual costs, fake seeds with labels (High Yielding variety seeds “(HYVS)” are being sold like hot cakes.

6. The fluctuation in production, have unpredictably affected the prices of agricultural products. As a result the farmer has suffered a lot when more than 70% of population particularly the poor earn their livelihood directly or indirectly from agriculture. Hence the necessity of granting secure livelihood.

Severe draught conditions prevailed for the past four years. This is due to acute scarcity of irrigation facilities. The drop of precipitation this year ranged from 81% to 32% in various districts of the valley, as a result out of 1.55-lac hectares only 1.20-lac hectare could be brought under transplantation. 35,000 hectares suffered, for want of irrigation facilities. The damage caused to maize, pulses and other crops ranged from 50 to 60%. Only 40% of the total cropped area, is irrigated, while the rest is left to the mercy of rain and dew.

94% irrigation is ensured through canals through 8227 zamindari Khuls, out of which 259 are maintained by State Irrigation Deptt. and the rest are maintained by Zamindars themselves despite paying abiana annually. Most of the state canals are in bad shape with lack of safe banks, full of siltation, sand and stones.

The areas requiring heavy investment in basic infrastructure, like irrigation, electricity, rural credit markets, HYV seeds, chemical fertilizers are ignored by the authorities, while as the availability of irrigation facilities are pre-requisite for the bumper crops.

Implementation of Rural Schemes

Although many schemes are on the anvil for the development of rural areas, there is a lot of scope for improvement, particularly in the implementation wing of Engineering works, which are handled mostly by non technical staff like BDO’s and ACD’s. The selection of works under various heads needs to be rationalized. Temporary flood protection works comprising generally of loose boulder bunds stand for a flood or two, alternatively permanent measure could be envisaged.

We have plenty of unemployed diploma and degree engineers who could be absorbed in the department in Place of under matric/ matriculate junior engineers and assistant engineers in the rural engineering wings ensuring thereby better quality of works besides removing unemployment.

Way back in 1989, when I protested against this system of working, I invited wrath of bureaucracy, (culminating into even with holding my promotion) which later sprung up in the form of 1992 scam.

This needs a serious consideration.

IMPACT OF GLOBALISATION ON OUR INDUSTRIES

To define globalization with emphasis on its economic dimension. It is process of transnationalization of production and capital and standardization of consumer tastes (Broadly speaking global capita1ism) and their legitimization with the help of International Institutions, such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Trade Organization (WTO). For countries or Asia, Africa and Latin America, which sought to undo the colonial past, this means a series of economic reforms towards liberalization and privatization, as most of them have introduced state controls to faci1itate, autonomous development. Beginning 1980’s, most countries have taken to market mediated economic reforms. India is a late comer and efforts towards reform and strong liberalization may be said to have started only from July, 1991.

The new Industrial Policy announced by the Govt. in July, 24 1991, seeks to drastically liberalize the economy and the industry doing away with industrial licensing, except for 18 specialized cases (which have been further reduced to 15) removing virtually all restrictions on MRTP companies, increasing limit of Foreign equity participation in industries from 40% to 51% in many high priority areas, removing all registration formalities and redefining the role of the public sector. The underlying objective behind all these changes is to unshackle the Indian economy from the cobweb of un-necessary bureaucratic controls.

According to the new policy, the role of Govt. should change from that of only exercising over the entrepreneurs to providing help by making procedures transparent and by eliminating delays. With regard to the public sector the policy promises to strengthen its role in areas essential for the economy, but warns of review in industries which are unproductive and inefficient. The policy says in 50’s and 60’s the public sector undertakings were used to control the commanding heights of the economy, now fiscal and monetary instruments will be used. Even in areas still reserved for the public sector, the private sector may also be invited. The areas reserved for public sector include arms and ammunition, atomic energy, mineral oils, rail transport, mining of coal, minerals etc. Significant deletions from the earlier reserved list are stee1, aircraft, telecommunications, power transmission and distribution, shipbuilding etc.

The Industrial policy of July, 1991 has opened a new chapter in India’s economic history. The earlier reforms only tinkered with the license permit Raj but left it intact in all its essential aspects. The new policy explicitly admits that the license permit Raj has hampered instead of helping our development and therefore, needs to be scrapped. The policy also admits that the Governmental interferences through MRTP Act had a deleterious effect on industrial growth. The new policy though it still retains some licensing regulations and controls to serve the social end, does away with much of the licenses, permits, regulations etc. and seeks to be more market friendly with the aim of making the Govt. and the business as partners and not adversaries in the great national enterprise.

New Exim Policy:

The new Exim (Export -Import) policy announced by the Govt. on March, 31, 2001, proposed the setting up of free trade zones (FTZ's) and the liberalization of import regime by removing quantitative restrictions (QR's) on import of a wide range of consumer goods, agricultural products and textile items.

The FTZ’s called special economic zones (SEZ's) would be free from rules and regulations governing import and export.

The cardinal feature of the exim policy which aimed at achieving a target of 2C% export growth in dollar terms during 2000-01 was that from April, 2000, a wide range of essential items like milk, wheat flour, common salt and electronic and consumer items including music systems and cigarettes would be freely imported without any restrictions on quality.

As part of India’s obligations towards the WTO, the new exim policy removes QR's on a total of 714 items. From hence forth, there would be no restrictions on items like unroasted and decaffeinated coffee, instant tea, paper, woven fabrics, garments, spices, pickles, soft drink concentrates and fruit squash and frozen fish. Other items in the QR phase out list include photographic films, watches, cycles, cooking gas, cylinders, type writers, furniture, colour picture tubes, toilet articles, kitchen ware wool and silk shawls.

Before independence, India was overwhelmingly agricultural country lagging far-behind the desired level of industrialization. To plug this lacuna, the dawn of independence soon brought about the industrial policy resolution of 1948. It defined the broad outline of the Industrial policy and defined the role of the state. The industrial policy solution of 1956 gave the public sector a strategic role in economy and categorized industries which would be the exclusive responsibility of the state. Since July, 1991, the Govt. has not only attempted to accelerate industrial development but make the Indian Industries as internationally competitive with the result that the industries development of India over the past five decades of planned progress is indeed spectacular. If the first five year plan (1951-61) gave priority to industrial development during the nineties, the general index of industrial production with the base (1980-81 = 100) which recorded a mere 0.60% increase in 1991-92 over the preceding year 1990-91 rose by 2.3% in 1992-93, 6% in 1993-94, 8.4% in 1994-95 and by 12.8% in 1995-96, which was the highest growth rate in the past 25 years. In 1996-97, industrial production slowed down to 5.6% due to a number of factors including constraints in the infrastructure sector, terms of credit availability, lower demand for exports, decline in the crude oil and hydel power generation, while despite political uncertainty resulting in the fall of 2 successive U.F. Governments at the Centre as also other factors, industrial production rose to 6.6%. After the relatively modest performance in 1998-99 (4%) the Indian Economy experienced a turn around in 1999-2000 when Industrial production recorded an impressive growth rate of 8.5%. However the industrial scenario has taken a nose dive with industrial production recording a mere 2.1% growth in the 1st quarter of 2001-02 as against 6.1% in the corresponding period of 2000-01.

The country is now more or less self sufficient in the production of consumer goods and some basic items like iron and steel, power generation has been substantially stepped up and infrastructure adequately built up for future industrial progress. Among India's major large scale industries are; cotton textile industry with over a thousand textile mills providing employment to over 15 Lac persons, iron and steel industry with six integrated steel plants and over 216 mini steel plants, jute industry, sugar industry, cement industry etc.

The small scale industry sector comprising Khadi village Industrial Sector and small scale industries is a major source of employment and a substantial earner of foreign exchange for the country.

The total number of small scale units in the country in 1999-2000 was 32.25 lacs compared to 31.21 1acs in 1998-99. The value of production of small scale sector industries rose to Rs. 5,78,470.00 crores in 1999- 2000 from Rs. 5,27,515.00 crores in the year 1998-99 and the value of employment from 171.58 lacs in 1998-99 to 178.50 lacs in 1999-2000. Exports also increased to Rs. 53,975.11 crores from Rs. 48,979.00 crores during the period under review.

History Tells Us That:

It was though the efforts of great saint Shahi- Hamdan that in the later part of 14^th century shawl was born in Kashmir when Sultan Qatub-bin was the ruler who patronized, nourished and stimulated it, two centuries later in Mirza Haider Duglats time, it received impetus in development of its textures and designs.

The slumbering genius of the people of the happy valley was awakened to a degree that exited the admiration of the work particularly when Zainul Abideen gave a new life to the arts and crafts of the land.

Just as Europe was in slumber, when the Saracens had reached the height of their glory, upper India lacked even the elements of a stable Govt: when Kashmir was the centre of learning and the home of arts and crafts that made it so famous in the world.

Mirza Haider Duglat says, “In Kashmir one meets with all those (sixteenth century) arts and crafts which are in most cities uncommon, such as stone polishing stone cutting, bottle making, window cutting (Tabdan Tarashi) gold beating etc. In the whole of (Tans Oxiana) except in Samarqaud and Bukhara they are no where to be net with while in Kashmir they are even abundant. This is all due to Sultan Zain-Ul-Abidan.

The industries of Kashmir were all suited to its climate and environment. Nature has provided raw products for the Kashmir, who thus applies his genius to creative work to the best advantage. The closely housed existence necessitated by the long and severe winters of high altitude stimulated industries in the home. The products are of small bulk but of large value adapted to costly hilly transportation. Carved wood, willow baskets, artistic metal work in silver and copper, carpets, Gabbas, shawls, Pashmina, Paper Machie and embroidery are typical and are classed as Kashmiri cottage industries.

These have persisted even in the face of competition of large-scale machine production. These include use of local raw material and indigenous labour in producing goods with artistic skill in varying patterns and care for moderate marketing, with-stood the onslaught of business cycles better than large-scale concerns. This is not antagonistic to large scale industries but could be complementary to each other. Thus, the individual resources could also develop to maximum for the good of the people as a whole.

The J & K Scenario:

With the formation of district Development Boards in the present Govt, the people’s participation at initial levels was introduced and people’s demands were considered in planned programmes of the State. Many successful achievements present a rosy picture and are worth mentioning according to the Hon’ble Minister for Industries and Handicrafts J&K Govt. and I quote:-

1. New Industrial Policy:

An Industrial Advisory Committee was formed after October, 1996 to discuss the proposed Industrial Policy, which was sanctioned by the State Cabinet in May 1996.

In the five year industrial policy a subsidy of Rs. 110.00 crores was sanctioned, which could create one lac employments. In this with the development of industries steps for environmental safety and arresting of pollution were also taken. It was decided that the Govt. shall work as an open policy on investment from other parts of the country and from Foreign Countries. An attractive package of benefits for industrialists was announced; like subsidy on capital investment project reports, Diesel Generating Sets and fitting tools etc. besides, rebate on interest on working capital.

2. Sick Units:

To resume sick units on the recommendations made by Dr. Raju after indicating the sick units, their restoration shall be ensured after a detailed survey.

3. Setting up of Basic Infrastructure:

With the central assistance a new industrial production centre was sanctioned to be established at Pulwama, which is estimated to cost Rs. 40.00 crores. An industrial centre at Samba is already completed. At Ompora Budgam an Export Promotion Industrial Park is being established at a cost of Rs. 16.00 crores out of which Rs.9.00 crores shall be central assistance. A similar export park is near completion at Jammu at a cost of about Rs. 31.00 crores.

For the development of basic infrastructure an integrated scheme on the lines of the one at Jammu KIDI centre, a centre is being established a Budgam. The centre and State Govt. are providing each Rs. 3.00 crores which does not include cost of land.

A special industrial area is proposed to be set up at Kathua to cost Rs. 250.00 crores which shall be an assistance project. The project report is with the central Govt. and shall need investment of Rs.1750.00 crores and shall benefit about 35000 employees. It will have 5.00 lacs spindles to start with.

Directorate of Industries & Commerce is setting up a separate Industrial Development Centre for women industrialists.

For the development of small and medium industrials units SICOP and SIDCO has opened their offices in Leh, besides, there is a proposal for opening a centre for integrated development of basic infrastructure.

4. Training of Entrepreneurs:

Govt. has entered into an agreement with EDI Ahmadabad for training new entrepreneurs for improving their technical skills, and a similar institute is proposed to be opened in the state, which will train new entrepreneurs to set up new units.

5. Plans for New Development:

SIDCO Complex Badi Brahmina is setting up a hospital under the Employment Insurance Scheme. State Govt. is setting up a centre for dressing of gems under an agreement with Diamond and Gem Corporation, the trainee shall be paid Rs. 400.00 each monthly during the training course.

6. Opportunities for New/ Investment:

In 1998 an International Conference was organized in Srinagar under the Management of J&K SIDCO with the Cooperation of FICCI and PHDCCI. This proved a successful step for apprising investors who comprised of 15 NRI’s from renowed industrialists and traders.

The State Chief Minister has contacted traders and industrialists within the country at Bombay and Poona and outside the country at Malaysia. The dialogue has been carried on further, which has promoted investment in the state of the promising industrialists. The M.O.U.S. stand issued for the following units:

Rs in Crores

1. Garaware Petro Chemicals Ltd., Mattresses, quilts, pillows 21.00

2. Shastri Food & Vegetables Dehydrated Food & Vegetable 51.22

3. M/S Sarvoday Centered Products Busches, filters, Bearing and Clutches 08.73

4. M/S Fungicides India Ltd. Apple Juice Concentrate Plant 25.88

5. M/S Perylon Industries Ltd. Socks 06.50

6. M/S Manjari Group Bombay Fruit Concentrate 41.00

Other major investments are also under finalization. With an investment of Rs. 50.00 crores a project is being established by a Company based at Mahrashtra. A cement plant costing Rs. 2.5.00 crores is being set up by Gujarat Ahuja Cement. A fertilizer project costing Rs. 16.00 crores is being set up by Gujarat Heavy Chemical Ltd. The Department has received a proposal for setting up a fertilizer plant at a cost of Rs. 1900.00 crores by Dalmia group, which shall produce one million tons of fertilizers. For processing of fruits, two projects costing Rs. 26.00 crores are proposed to be set up.

7. Important Steps Taken:

For new industrialists two Udyug Bhavans have been sanctioned for construction each at Jammu and Srinagar. The one at Jammu costing Rs. 7.41 crores is in progress. A spinning units at Kathua established by Birla Group at a cost of Rs. 20.00 crores has been inaugurated on 17th December, 1996. This unit provides employment for 350 people.

The State Govt. has waved off loan and its interest to the industrialists who had taken a loan of Rs. 50,000 or less. For those who had taken a loan of more than Rs.50,000 a Committee of Ministers of Central Govt. shall be recommending their escape from the net.

During this period 2706 small and medium units have been registered, which will provide employment for 10575 persons. Besides, this the Directorate of Industries & Commerce has provided training for cutting and readymade garments for 1500 people Industrial Exhibition at Jammu and Srinagar were exhibited successfully after a decade, which was appreciated by the people.

8. Steps Forward:

For providing marketing facilities small artisans attached with Handicrafts and Handloom, Crafts, Bazars were set up at Lucknow, Surat, Hyderabad, Udaipur and Goa, besides the one Craft Bazar at Delhi Hat. A record sale of Rs. 56.84 lacs was made at these Craft Bazars. Crafts Bazar was also set up at Pahalgam at the time of Amernath Yatra.

The Department arranged an Expo at New Delhi, which has a sale of Rs. 8 crores for Handicrafts and Handloom goods. In 1997 participation in India International Trade Fair was arranged, which recorded a sale of Rs. 25.00 lacs.

The State Govt. participated in life style 1997 Mela at Jeddah, besides Indo British Trade fair at London and World Consumers Fair at Kuwait in April, 1997 which promoted Handicrafts of J&K State. The Central Market was opened in Srinagar after 10 years and this market functioned from July 1998, boosting marketing of Handicrafts.

In total 532 training centers of the State, 15868 people were trained and were made self reliant to earn their living. For the state artisans a process of State award and export awards is being introduced as recognition of the high standard.

Schemes on the lines of PRMY and JKSES for the benefit of artisan’s personal employment are under consideration whereby those unemployed youth will get attracted to set up their own units who are interested in self employment.

9. Handloom:

To encourage cooperative process, efforts are on. The State Govt. has cleared seven package projects for central assistance with these projects 1000 bankers shall be benefited, to whom along with training. Fly Shuttle Looms and working will be provided. Besides integrated facilities centre, Yarn spinning and sale centre are being set up besides, sanctions of 19 package projects by Central Govt.

1272 persons have been trained in 87 Handloom training centers. 78 primary societies of Banks have been registered. 628 Work sheds have been completed for Handloom bankers and 3092 unit are being modernized.

In Basoli center for cutting of Pashmina Yarn and Manufacture of Pashmina Shawl is being restarted.

10. Pashmina Research Development:

A research study has been carried out through M/S Indian Research, New Delhi on saving the down fall of Pashmina Industry and to change its present scenario. The aim of the same were:

i) To examine the feeling of consumers, dealers, designers and Users of Pashmina and the present position of Pashmina goods.

ii) The reasons for reduction to Pashmina marketing.

iii) The recommendations made by M/S India Research New Delhi.

iv) To raise the standard of traditional designs.

v) Promotion of Pashmina dresses, shawls.

We are also informed that the J&K State is endowed with skilled and creative manpower and offers investment attractive opportunities in many sectors like power and energy, Bio-technology, Food processing, Handlooms & Handy crafts, Water resources, IT Industry, Industrial Development, Infrastructure, Science and Technology, Sericulture, Tourism, Entertainment and Heritage, Waste Land Development and Environment, Electronics and precision engineering, leather goods, Processing of gems and precious stones and selective mining projects and mineral based industry, Aromatic and Medicinal Plants.

One million hectares of wasteland await development. Handicrafts exports from the country is 9205 crores at present. The share of exports from J&K is 5%. We hope to capture 20% of total exports of handicrafts from the country by 2020. The carpet industry requires 6.50 lac kgs of silk yarn every year for which a raw material bank is envisaged which will be sound investment. 90% of 20,000 MW of Hydel power is gasping for exploitation and investment. Delicious fruits, nuts and berries generate Rs. 1500 crores. From the current level of one million tones, it is envisaged to increase to six million tones by 2020, by an investment of 700 crores from private sector. Food processing industry has a vast potential, 25% of total production can be converted to juices, jams jellies baby foods, fruit bars and like canning of cherries, strawberry, apricot, peaches etc and processing walnuts and other potential areas in the IT field a STP has been setup by STPI in the J&K SIDCO Electronic complex, Rangreth Kashmir. This STP has state of art equipment for high speed data communication and connectivity to International Gate Way through earth station.

More than 50% of plant species used in British Pharmacopoeia grows in the state. 572 plants of Aromatic and Medicinal importance grow in J&K State.

A number of incentives are available under the eco-friendly industrial policy of J&K State announced in 1998 and the NE Type Industrial Package of Government of India announced by Hon’ble Prime Minister.

Tourism has already been declared as Industry in J&K State and a host of Incentive are available for interested entrepreneurs. A very large number of people used to derive sustenance from 7.5 Lacs tourists in 1988- 89, the highest ever the state received in a full year before eruption of militancy.

Eight Cooperate seminars have been designed. This is besides a cooperate Golf Tournament on the sidelines at Royal Spring Golf Club an ultramodern and unique addition to the existing tourist infrastructure available in J&K State which will go a long way in promoting world class tourism in this beautiful state of India, the third largest bread earner after Agriculture and Horticulture before eruption of militancy in late eighties.

The broad outlines of a welfare and self reliant state have already been laid. What we have to do is to utilize the new technologies and the vast fund of trained human resource in order to make it happen. The push can come only through a joint coordinated and a sustained integration of a clear vision, workable strategy and harnessing of natural and manpower resources.

Since independence, the State has made rapid stride in the field of economic development. However, in respect of human development, we have to go a long way. In the matter of literacy, health care, education etc we are below the national average. In order to provide better living standard to our people it is imperative that the growth of population is also regulated. Empowerment of women, rehabilitation of hose effected during the decade long militancy also should receive our attention. If we are to achieve these objectives in the next two decades, substantial investment will have to be made to provide more hospitals schools, better roads and transportation etc. The Government alone cannot meet these challenges and non-governmental sectors will have to play significant role.

To crown it all our dreams can come true if and only if peace is restored at any cost.

The recent International Exhibition Cum Business Summit Kashmir vision 2020 held at SKICC in June 2002 at Srinagar has been an important step in the direction after a decade of turbulance.

Though many efforts have been made to promote industries in J&K State through various programmes in spite of adverse conditions, yet the imports of foreign goods has had an adverse effect on local industries. I know one canning unit used to deliver canned asparagus, pear, cherry etc. to the hotels outside, who have now reportedly diverted to the commodities available from other countries particularly China, where from the same stuff is available at cheaper rates, resulting into closure of the J&K unit and also loss to the agriculturist and resultant unemployment to dozens of persons. Like that many units like; Saffron growers etc. have been affected adversely, for which Department needs to come to their rescue by providing alternative arrangement for their subsistence.

Age-old methods (i.e since Budshah time, 1420-80 AD) fo weaving carped manufacture, embroidery, yarn manufacture, manufacture of copper utensils etc. continue till date and very little efforts have made to semi-mechanize or fully mechanize on macro level, which would increase production and also boost economy. Technical knowledge is not lacking. What is needed is introduction and promotion of the new technology, as has been done in UP & Bihar States.

Absence of quality control has also earned a bad name to our manufactured goods which needs to be enforced strictly.

Besides, the middleman could not be eliminated in spite of all efforts to promote trade, when due to adverse conditions the customers (tourists) do not come to buy things in the Valley, instead the goods are to be carried outside to their door step at cheaper rates and Dr. Iqbal’s Lamenting for the Kashmiri artisan still hold good inspite of passage of more than half a century

Salient features of the Central Package for the Industrial Sector of

J&K cleared by the Union Cabinet on 24.4.2002.

I) Central Excise Exemption:

Under this scheme the Central Government exempts the goods specified in the First Schedule and the Second Schedule to the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985 (1 of 1986) and cleared from a unit located in the Growth Centre or Integrated Infrastructure Development Centre or Export Promotion Industrial Park or Industrial Estate or Industrial Area or Commercial Estates as the case may be from so much of the duty of excise or additional duty of excise as the case may be leviable there on under any of the said Acts.

II) Central Capital Investment Subsidiary Scheme

Under the scheme subsidy @ 15% of the investment in plant and machinery subject to a maximum ceiling of Rs.30 Lakhs is admissible to the units to be set up in the identified locations.

III) Central Interest Subsidy Scheme

Under the scheme subsidy @ 3% is payable to the Industrial units on the working capital loans for a period of ten years from the date of commencement of production.

IV) Comprehensive Insurance Scheme for Industrial Units

Under the scheme insurance premium paid by the eligible units is reimbursable through a revolving fund maintained by the nodal Insurance Company which is the National Insurance Company.

V) Industrial Growth Centre

Entire expenditure on growth centre would be provided as central assistance subject to a ceiling of Rs.15 crores.

VI) Integrated Industrial Dev. Centre (IID)

In respect of IID Centers the funding pattern would be changed from 2:2 between Government of India and SIDBI, to 4:1 and Government of India funds the grant.

VII) Taxation

Central Government allows converting the growth centers and identified areas into total tax free zones for the next ten years. All industrial activity in these zones would be free from income tax and excise for a period of ten years from the commencement of production. State Govt. shall be requested to grant exemption from toll tax, sale tax etc.

VIII) J&K Dev. Finance Corporation

A one time grant of Rs.50 crores will be provided to the proposed J&K Dev. Finance Corporation by the Central Government to fund techno economic studies for industries and infrastructures best suited to this region.

SOLAR ENERGY AND BUILDING ARCHITECTURE

INTRODUCTION

In the western countries, a considerable part of the total energy is spent for heating, ventilating & cooling of residential and office buildings and for hot water requirements. In India and other developing countries. The heating and cooling of buildings is either provided in the public buildings or in the homes of upper middle and rich class in the Urban sector. In the rural sector and in the homes of lower middle/ poor class in the urban area there is a definite need to lower down the summer time room temperatures and to raise the winter time room temperatures to satisfy the conditions of adequate thermal comfort.

Solar heating and cooling of buildings can be provided by active or passive means, the former refers to the collection of energy by a solar collector and its subsequent storage. The stored energy is then either used for heating air/ water for circulation into the rooms when heating is desired or to run an air-conditioning cycle, when cooling is required. The terms passive, refers to those aspects by which one can maintain natural air conditioning on heating and ventilating of buildings by good energy management, using an integrated solar collector, heat storage systems and ensuring proper distribution of the collected energy into the living space. For summer conditions one has to however ensure reduction of heat gain due to various factors and quick removal of heat from the body to the external environment.

A summary of various concepts that can be incorporated into the building architecture to maintain thermal confort inside the building is presented in this paper.

PASSIVE HEATING CONCEPTS

Direct Gain

This is a straightforward concept (Fig. 1) sunlight is admitted into the room and is trapped inside as a result of the green-house effect. The simplest application of this concept was an experimental house at the Illinois institute of Technology in which a large south facing double glass window with a concrete floor as the collector heat storage unit were used. The concrete floor is provided to minimize the swings in the temperature of the room air.

Indirect Gain

A more effective way to reduce swings in the temperature of the room air is to introduce a thermal storage wall between the direct solar radiation and the living space. This wall is usually know as Trombe wall or water wall. It faces south and is utilized for collections, storages and transfer of heat to the inside building (fig. 2).

Transwall

A modified version of the Trombe wall is the Transwall which is a partially transparent thermal storage wall (Fig. 3) placed adjacent to the window admitting solar energy. Part of the solar energy is absorbed within the transwal1 and remaining part is transmitted to the living space. In comparison to a conventional thermal storage wall, the advantages of a transwal1 (1) most of the solar energy is absorbed at the center and not at the front facing the window and (ii) the room is illuminated by the transmitted fraction of the solar energy; the fraction can be made small enough to avoid overheating and glare etc.

Sunspace (Attached Solarium Greenhouse)

A marriage of the concepts of direct gain and indirect gain is the solarium. The glass enclosure (fig. 4) called sunspace receives heat by direct gain; while the living space receive heat by indirect gain.

Isolated Gain Structure Integrated Collectors

Creator flexibility in design and operation of a heating system can be obtained by collecting the sun’s energy separately and storing it separately. The collectors could be integrated into the structure of the building to provide heating of water or air.

An important part of all the above discussed concepts is the moveable insulation, which is used to protect the nighttime losses from the glazed area of the building.

Comparison of the Performance of Passive Heating Systems

Using typical values of the physical parameters, calculations were performed for a few passive-heating concepts.

Table 1 summarizes the average thermal performance. It is noted that the solarium performs heat for the case when no night insulation is used. However, when night insulation is used average heat flux into the living space is maximum in the case of Tromble wall, there are however large fluctuations in the hourly variation of heat flux in this case.

Passive Cooling Concepts

The first step in the design of any passive cooling system is to reduce the unnecessary loads into the building. There are usually two types of thermal loads in the building (i) exterior loads due to the climate, and (ii) internal loads due to people, appliances, cooking, bathing & lights, proper zoning of different components and local ventilation of major heat sources can reduce the overall impact of internally generated heat loads.

Depending upon the weather, the thermal load enter into the building in three major ways (a) penetration of direct beam sun-light, (b) conduction of heat through walls roof etc. and (c) infi1ration of outside air.

Table 1 Maximum, Minimum and average Heat Flux (in W/m²) the room for various Passive concepts.

Average solar flux = 31107 w/m²

Average Ambient Temperature = -1.6^oC

Concrete thickness (m)
	0.15		0.10		0.45
	I	II	I	II	I	II
Trombe wall with-out vents
Q max	176	192	62.8	94	35	68
Q min	-32	22.6	10.1	57.5	21	89
Q o	51.6	98.2	37	77	23	64
Trombe wall with vents free convection
Q max	259	278	150	181	159	175
Q min	-79	-26	-27	14	-21	19
Q o	55.1	115	45	111	39	100
Trombe wall with vents forced convection
Q max	318	642	310	607	277	603
Q min	-402	-289	-700	-278	-686	-271
Q o	-362	111	-362	111	-362	111
Water wall
Q max	80	121	61	109	..	..
Q min	19	79	37	93	..	..
Q o	50	101	36	79	..	..
Solarium
Q max	189	208	76	96	46	64
Q min	-8.1	31	26.4	53	33	52.4
Q o	72	102	51	75	40	59

I- Without night Insulation

II- With night Insulation

Sun Protection

The entry of direct beam radiation through windows into the room is the source of maximum heat gain inside the building. The entry of direct solar radiation can be controlled through use of vertical, horizontal and inclined louvers, moveable screens, deciduous trees and plants, shading against direct radiation is easiest to provide on the south wall. A horizontal projection of appropriate depth will exclude the summer sun while still permitting sun light into the building, in winter. The east and west walls can be protected by a combination of horizontal and vertical lourvers.

Control of Outer Surface Temperature

The conduction of heat into the building through roof/ walls is directly proportional to the temperature difference between the outside surface and inside surface. In order to minimize the conducted heat, one has to therefore minimize the outside surface temperature. This can be achieved by shading, use of desirable paints, etc. The new white wash has a desirable property of high reflectivity for solar radiation and low emissiveity for the low temperature radiation.

Evaporative Cooling

Removal of heat flux through evaporative cooling is a desirable method. Methods of evaporative cooling have been used excessively in regions where water is not used scarce. Most commonly employed evaporative cooling system is a window unit air cooler with evaporative pads a fan and a pump. Central air-cooling systems with a spray chamber and a blower are also used, for larger buildings. To produce comfortable conditions both these systems require a high rate of air living space.

Many innovative evaporative coolers have been developed by CSIRO in Australia during the past two decades (close, 1965). They typically involve evaporative cooling followed by a heat exchange phase. If the cooler (but relatively dry) out-put air from the heat exchanger is subjected to another stage of evaporative cooling, a two stage unit results. In many work areas excessive humidity and air movement are not desirable. For such cases, the heat exchanger has been implemented in the form of a rock bed (fig. 5). It uses two rock beds.

Set side by side and separated by an air space in which a damper is located. Water sprays are mounted close to the inner surface of each rock bed and two fans are used. The rock beds are cooled alternatively by spraying water and letting it evaporate on the stones. While one rock bed is getting cooled, the other one (already cooled in the previous operation cycle) supplies cool air to the house. Very little moisture is thus added to the air entering the house, as the rocks are almost dry before these are used to cool the incoming air in the next operating cycle. The humid air from the rock bed produced during its evaporation cycle is vented to the outside. Evaporation from the surface of the roof can be used to provide cooling for one or two storied buildings continuous evaporation from a thin film of water over the roof, lowers the temperature of the roof solar intensity and wind velocity affect the rate of evaporation of water but not the temperature of the roof. For this method to be effective, the roof slab should be waterproof and made as thin as possible.

Radiative Cooling

Radiative cooling, the net transfer of heat by thermal infrared radiation from a warm reradiating body to a collar heat sink, has two important applications in comfort cooling of building. One is the direct radiative cooing of people by control of the mean radiant temperature of their immediate environment and the other is the discharge of heat from a radiative heat dissipater to the cool sky. This later effect is strongest with clear night skies, but the northern sky (in the northern hemisphere) is often cool enough during the day to provide useful heat sink. A horizontal surface is the most effective Radiative-cooling configuration. Obstructions such as trees, walls or clouds can significantly reduce the radiation of heat to the sky.

If the roof surfaces are sloped towards an internal court-yard (Fig. 6) the cooled air sinks into the court and enters the living space through the low level openings. The effect of wind movement and convective heat gain can be reduced by covering the roof with polyethylene which is transparent to long wave radiation. Inlet and outlet openings for air are provided in the roof itself. An alternative method is to cover the roof with white painted corrugated iron sheeting. Openings are provided in the roof for circulating air under the corrugated iron sheeting. During the day, the openings are kept closed and no air circulation -takes place. At night, air is circulated under the sheets with the help of a blower and the cooled air is used in the living space.

CONTROL OF CONDUCTED HEAT BY INSULATION AND CAVITY WALLS

The amount of heat coming into the room can also be decreased by insulating the various building components. The insulation is usually put over the outermost surface. The thickness of the insulation should have an optimum value from the point of view of economists. The roof and walls of a building having cavities also act as good insulators and inhibit the inward (or outward) transmission of heat from that component.

Other important aspects of passive heating and cooling such as ventilation and earth sheltering are also very important. It is however difficult to discuss them all here in detail the to the shortage of space & time.

CONCLUSIONS

Very cool or very hot climates are both harmful for human comfort. Adequate building design and architecture using various methods described in this paper can largely maintain temperatures inside the building within the range of thermal comfort. The employment and sizing of each of these components is to be done differently for different climates and locations.

Pictures

See Page No 80

HOUSING SCENARIO IN J&K STATE

The population of J&K State according to 2001 Census is above one crores with a decadel growth of 29 percent. In 1981, in about 82 lakhs houses, average person residing per house were 7 to 8 Nos.

In Srinagar city alone for a population of 12 lakhs in 2000 A.D, 1,50,000 houses were required at 8 persons/ plot against which 13,163 plots/ flats were provided by the Government Housing Cooperatives have contributed to the extent of 0.02%. This totals to 9%. Remaining 91% of residential stock has been built by the general public in the city in an unplanned manner resulting in growth of slums, haphazard development and lack of urban infrastructure.

Housing problem in Srinagar city is of an acute type, growing index of Srinagar urban agglomeration lies between 15 to 24 person/ household and in 37 Mohallas between 12 to 15 persons/ household. About 43% houses in Srinagar have two, three and more households. About 5 lakh population of core area live in 1114 hectares only which works out to 450 persons/ hectare against the standard of 175 persons/ hectare maximum for Metro cities. Thus an area of 1114 hectares should have about 2 lakhs population maximum. Removal of congestion of 3 lakh population is the existing problem of housing shortage, which will need addition of 37,500 plots at 8 persons/ plot against the existing 9.45 persons/ house. Besides this there will be a continuous growth in the demand over the next two decades. According to the Srinagar Mater Plan (2000-21) 1,37,500 plots shall be needed for 11 lakh additional residential population. Master Plan for Srinagar (2000-21) with projection in annual plan periods has taken care of the requirement subject to its implementation which needs a strong will from the Government. God boles report has recommended for a rational land use policy for the State, rigorous implementation of the Master Plan drawn up from time to time. It states that the construction of housing be left to the cooperative societies and the private sector. Besides the National Housing and Habitat Policy 1998 document issued by Ministry of Urban Affaires and Employment Government of India, has recommended liberalization of the legal and regulatory measures to give boost to housing and infrastructure development promotion of private sector and cooperatives, defining the role of public and private agencies, particularly in the infrastructure sector and preparation of long term programmes by the State Govt. Besides it recommends that the Local Authorities should identify housing shortages, devise programmes to meet housing shortages and enforce effectively regulatory measures for planned development. Under the chapter of Urban Land Policy private sector is to be involved in housing in a large scale, be in the form of land pooling and plot reconstitution, private housing colonizers. Real State Development under private sector or cooperative housing. Proposals in respect of legislative frame work also have been articulated in the said chapter.

CLIMATE

The J&K State forms a transitional region of diverse physical features. Lying between the week influence of the monsoon region of the Punjab and cold dry Tibet with a small amount of precipitation, strong winds, intense sunshine, its parallel mountainous ranges running wets to East has more or less a semi-Tibetan type of climate.

Altitude and prevailing winds have given this entire region a marked variation in climatic conditions.

The south west monsoon in summer, though exhausted, strikes to Middle Mountains and some of the winds cross even the Pir Panjal when the monsoon is strong. A line drawn from Uri to Poonch and then along the southernly edge of the Pir Panjal near 33⁰ North Latitude forms the wind divide.

In winter, cyclonic disturbances from the Mediterranean across Iran and Afghanistan, bring heavy precipitation to these territories mostly in the form of snow. It is this snow which keeps the entire Jehlum valley and the surrounding mountains under snow for about five months with a rise in temperature. After March, the snow begins to melt.

The entire mountain zone of Ladakh has snow for three months, which melts or is drifted by winds.

Abrupt change of climate is experienced with the change of seasons in the valley of Kashmir where winter is extremely continental in type with an average January temperature of 31⁰ thus showing an average range of 42⁰ F but actual range may vary as in the year 1953 when it was 94⁰ F. Severe winter extends over 70 days from Dec. 24 to March 8. The entire valley looks like a refrigerator or if it is sunny, lying in the lap of snowy mountains with temperature often below zero.

In 1942 the snow fall was measured at 36 inches when measured as rain Srinagar recorded 27.22 inches of rain in 1943 being above normal by 1.35 inches. However unusually we have been witnessing almost draught conditions for the past five years.

December has a humidity of 89% and May the minimum 71% from October to March the humidity % is high and from May to July it is low. The high humidity in July and August combined with high temperature is responsible for the discomfort felt in these months.

Leh the main town of Ladakh has extremes of climate. The sun rises in a clear sky and warms the ground and then the Air gets heated immediately, oppression of lower layers of the atmosphere is felt with the declining sun when a keen searching south0-west wind gradually dies away and in the still night the ground loses heat and severe frost occurs by morning. The total annual rainfall in Leh is only about 3 inches.

The varying characteristics of meteorology show how far altitude, direction of mountains, velocity of winds and inclination of rays of the sun influence the average weather conditions in the diverse regions of the state which should determine, the orientation of houses including location and grouping of rooms, selection of materials, thickness of walls size of windows, headroom space to take best advantage of solar aspect in winter months and also protection from excessive heat in temperate regions.

THE BUILDING AS A SOLAR COLLECTOR

The building should be designed to respond to the outdoors. On sunny winter days, the building should be able to open up, in a sense, to let the sun shine in and then to button itself up tightly, like a cocoon, to keep the heat from escaping. The best way of using sun for heating is to design and use the building as a natural solar collector, trying to avoid a reliance on high technology. A building must satisfy three basic requirements to achieve this.

1. The building must be a solar collector.

It must let the sun in when it needs heat, and it must keep it out when it doesn’t. It must also let coolness in when it needs it. This is done primarily by orienting and designing the building to let the sun penetrate through the walls and windows during the winter and by keeping it out during the summer with shading devices such as trees, awnings, Venetian blinds, and a myriad of other methods.

2. The building must be a solar storehouse

It must store the heat for cool (and cold) times when the sun is not shining, and be cool for warm (and hot) periods when the sun is shining. Buildings which are built of heavy materials such as stone and concrete do this most effectively.

SPECIFIC HEAT OF MATERIALS

Specific heat of a substance is the amount of heat taken from a unit weight of a material to produce a change of 1^o F in its temperature.

Material Specific Heat BTU/Kg/^oF

Aluminum 0.214

Asphalt 0.20

Brick 0.20

Coal Tar 0.35

Glass 0.18

Graphite 0.16

Bims stones 0.217

Rubber 0.48

Sand 0.19

Silica 0.32

Steel 0.12

Stone 0.2

Tin 0.055

Wood 0.45/ 0.65

Oak white 0.57

Fir white 0.65

Pine white 0.67

Wool 0.32

DESIGNING WITH THE SUN

S. No	Glass type	Summer	Winter
1	Single Glazing Clear glass heat-absorbing glass (shading coefficient) 0.50	239 213	167 154
2	Reflective glass Shading coefficient= 0.35	144	47
3	Double glazing Clear glass, both panes Heat absorbing glass outside, clear glass inside	104	69
4	Clear glass outsides, heat-absorbing glass inside	184	129
5	Reflective glass outside, Clear glass inside	76	42
6	Clear glass outside, reflective glass inside	123	103

(Relative heat gain through various types and combinations of glass)

INLAND WATER TRANSPORT ON RIVER JEHLUM

FORM PAMPORE TO CHATTABAL

1 Preamble

Inland water transport has played an important part as the first transportation system throughout the world. With the introduction of trains, trucks and aeroplanes, however, it has to face serious competition. It has not merely survived but continues to play an important role in many advanced countries of the world, like USA, Germany, France and U.S.S.R, in spite of fact that other modes of transport such as rail and road are far more developed in those countries as compared in India. This is because of its inherent advantage as a low cost mode of transport.

In our country, development of inland water transport has suffered a setback. Of late it has been realized that all modes of transport viz. rail, road and water have equal importance and each of these is to be considered as part of an integrated transport system. One of the main advantages in favour of inland water transport is that most of the waterways are gift of nature and can be used for navigation with a minimum investment.

Since Independence, interest in inland water transport has been aroused because of the need to utilize all the available transport facilities for meeting the growing transport requirements of the country. Since then, Government has been considering the question of restoring inland water transport to its rightful place in the transport system of the country. In spite of carrying out some improvements for maintaining the navigability of some waterways in pursuance of various Committees not much appreciable headway has been made in regard to development of this mode of transport. It has been realised that properly conceived projects for running of commercially viable services in co-ordination with other modes of transport, is essential for development of inland water transport in the country, particularly in regions, where water transport offers natural advantages for carriage of bulk commodities.

RIVER JEHLUM

A hundred year back much of the Internal Commerce of Kashmir depended on the Jehlum. Dr. Sinha says in “Kashmir” the playground of Asia “If Egypt is the gift of Nila Jhen Kashmir is the gift of Jehlum”. There is no other instance of a valley of the dimensions of Kashmir, and at an altitude of 5000 ft, above sea level, having a broad river, intersecting if for so long a distance.

Out of its total course of 720 Kms. about 320 Kms lie within the Pakistan territory. Below its junction with Kishanganga the Jehlum forms the boundary between the Kashmir State and Pakistan districts of Hazara and Rawalpindi and finally joins the Chenab at Trimmu.

Before the construction of motorable roads between Srinagar and Khanabal a and also between Srinagar and Baramulla it was the Jehlum which was the great highway of passenger & goods traffic up and down the valley. The river and its tributaries have also been the main source of irrigation of the valley, thus owing its lush greenery to the river waters as poet said:

The length from its source to Baramulla is 240 Kms. while as the distance from Khanabal to Baramulla is 163 Kms. In fact Srinagar was known as Venice of the East, as it was located on the banks of River Jehlum and brick lined Nallah-Mar, with its crisscrossing branch channels spread like spiders web on the right bank of river Jehlum that got filled up due to pressure of urbanization and arrival of road transport.

The Study Group set up by the Govt. of India in December 1953 recommended that Inland Water Transport should be allotted its proper, place in the future plans of tile country. The Committee on Transport Policy and Co-ordination which was reconstituted in 1964 (originally constituted in July 1959) recommended that development of inland water transport should be viewed in each region in the context of integrated regional transport plan within the framework of the transport plan of the country as a whole. They also recommended that to ensure development of waterways potential, where natural conditions were favourable, it was necessary to work out long-term plans, keeping in view a perspective of at least 10 to 15 years.

Jehlum River may serve as important means of transport in Kashmir Valley especially in and around Srinagar city. With the growing agricultural & fruits production and congestion in traffic, road network is not adequate to meet the existing traffic requirement. 1t is a well established fact that Inland Water transport is the cheapest mode of transport for certain kind of traffic both over long and short distance specially between places located on the waterfront. Inland Water Transport (IWT) being more cost effective than other modes of surface transport can help in reducing the transport cost and stabilizing the prices of commodities at a reasonable level. The following table illustrates the distinct advantage of IWT over other modes of transport.

Intermodal Comparison

Item	Mode of Transport
Energy consumption (Lts of HSD Per 100 TKM)	40	11	5.5
One Horse Power can move (Kg)	150	500	4000
Operator costs index *	312	138	100
*Based on 500 T vessel traveling over 300 Km

1.1.1 Development of waterway is less expensive as compared to construction of new roads and railways. The later requires extensive land acquisition with consequent problems of rehabilitation and environment while in the case of IWT the track is generally provided by nature.

Development of net work of new roads and rail in Srinagar urban area has to go long way and is costly also. The increasing problems of passenger and cargo movement within Greater Srinagar area has been causing concern to the State Government. Accordingly in Dec. 1988, the Planning Department of Jammu & Kashmir appointed RITES to prepare an integrated multimodal transport plan to cater for its growing transport to demand up o the year 2021 and the final report on the same was submitted to the State Government in Jan. 1992.

Considering the traffic problems in Srinagar urban area the proposal for DPR for development of inland water transport on river Jehlum from Pampore to Chattabal in Srinagar city has been attracting the attention of Government of Jammu & Kashmir. The Commissioner & Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Government of J&K invited RITES to submit a proposal for Detailed Project Report (DPR) for development of IWT system on river Jehlum in Srinagar city and subsequently awarded this project vide this letter No. UD-144/Jehlum/SDA dated 25.7.97.

1.2 Objectives

The objectives of the present study were:

Detailed design of waterway, vessel and terminals on the projected traffic volume.
Fix competitive tariff for Inland water transport and other services providing adequate motivation to adopt this mode of transport by users.
Evaluate and propose the waterway system with best economic and financial result.

1.3 Past studies on river Jehlum for development of IWT

The following studies for development of IWT in river Jehlum have been carried out in the past:

Report submitted by Mr. R. Egeston Purves on 21.07.1915 on restoring the condition of flow to facilitate navigation in Jehlum.
Report on integrated multimodal transport plan meeting traffic demand up to 2021 submitted by RITES in Jan. 92.

No Detailed Project Report on development of Inland waterways on river Jehlum had been prepared so far.

1.4 Potential of Inland Water Transport in Kashmir Valley

The length of navigable waterways in the State of Jammu & Kashmir exceeds 200 Kms. Most of the rivers flowing in the Jammu province have a steep gradient and are therefore not suitable for navigation. Except for a few ferry crossings in the lower reaches of the Chenab, there is hardly any water transport in the Jammu Province. In the Kashmir valley, river, Jehlum is the principal waterway and is important from navigational point.

The prospects of development of IWT exist in the following stretches of the Jehlum river system and the lakes in Kashmir valley:

(i) Khanbal to Baramulla on river Jehlum

(ii) Khudawani to Sangam on Vishow river

(iii) Dodarhama to Shadipore on the Sindh river

(iv) Vodhpora to Doabgah (Sopore) on pohru Nallah

(v) Tail reaches of some other tributaries

(vi) Dal, Nagin, Manasbal & Wular lakes

The city of Srinagar is situated on both sides of the Jehlum and along the edge of the Dal Lake. The other important lakes in close proximity to Srinagar are the Nagin Lake, the Manasbal Lake and the Wular Lake.

Bagavati Committee Report of Oct. 1990 has observed as follows:

Carriage of cargo between Khanabal and Baramulla on the Jehlum River offers great possibilities. At present the traffic is carried by trucks between Pathankot and Srinagar and distributed throughout the valley from Srinagar by road. The quantity of traffic carried by river is insignificant as compared to the traffic moved by road. Food grains are carried from Khanabal to Srinagar in the downward direction. Fruit and timber are transported from Baramulla upstream to Srinagar. Carriage by river is negligible and amounts to only 2 per cent of the extraction.

One of the main timber collection depots is at Dobgah where the Pohru River meets the Jehlum. Timber logs are rafted down the Pohru River from its upper reaches. f regular and reliable service is organized, timber from Baramulla/Dobgah can be moved to Srinagar by river. The existing fruit traffic from Baramulla to Srinagar could also be carried by river more economically. The rate of agricultural growth in the State is expected to be of the order of 5 to 6 per cent every year and this would entail increase in the volume of traffic. Stone quarries and brick fields are also situated close to the river front. With the provision of mechanical loading and unloading facilities and introduction of mechanized tugs and barges, river transport can be expected to carry considerable traffic. Transportation by barges of bulk cargo like food grains, buildings materials, firewood and fruits would prove both convenient and heaper. A detailed traffic study is, however necessary.

In order to meet the increasing transport requirements, an integrated system comprising unloading of supplies at Khanbal and their onward carriage to Srinagar by motorized barges may be advantageously introduced. This will necessitate acquisition of a modern fleet, construction of terminal facilities and installation of mechanical cargo handling equipment.

In view of the above, it is recommended that the present study which covers only a limited stretch, be extended to cover the reach from Khanabal to Baramulla.

All lakes are connected to Jehlum River and are navigable by country crafts throughout the year. The vessels catering transporting passengers and commodities are of obsolete design. Some mechanized boats with a capacity of 2-4 persons could be seen in Dal and Nagin lakes for tourists and water-spots purpose only. To cater to the traffic demand (passengers and cargo) it is advisable to ply the modern mechanized vessel in the study area.

1.5 Scope of Services

The scope of work for the proposed DPR for the waterway in Jehlumriver from Pampore to Chattabal Weir is as under:

a) Study/review of traffic projections for this waterway including divertible cargo and passenger traffic along and across the river. Traffic projections in phased manner upto 2020 will be made.

b) Study the river Morphology, Hydrological, Geo-technical and hydrographic conditions, operating and maintenance requirements to identify works that are required in respect of:

(i) Hydrographic survey

(ii) River conservancy including bank protection and dredging

(iii) Navigational aids and communication facilities

(iv) Bridge, New/Improvements with reference to sites, horizontal & vertical clearances.

c) Identify suitable location and work for detailed layout and building design for terminals.

d) Outline infrastructural facilities including communication facilities channel patrol, security, enforcement of rules and regulation, Pilotage, rescue and salvage etc.

e) Work out the details of the type of vessel and number and cost for the passenger and cargo traffic projected phase-wise upto the year 2020 and the details of the proposed repair facilities for maintaining these crafts.

f) Prepare the detailed project report with estimate of costs in sufficient details of the development and maintenances facilities.

g) Assess the environmental impact due to various developmental activities, environmental pollution control measures to be adopted and details of cost towards these activities.

h) Identify the areas to deposit the dredged material.

i) Work out the organizational set up required for this waterway.

j) Make a study of the economical sizes and types of vessel to be employed keeping in view the present and future traffic projections and plan the infrastructural development.

k) Recommend a freight structure together with its basis and subsidies, if any.

i) Work out the expected financial and economic returns.

m) Work out the schedule and phasing of expenditure for implementation of the proposed scheme for the first phase upto the year 2000.

n) Prepare tender documents including specifications, bill of quantities, estimates and tender designs for proposed terminal, vessel and removal of shoals by dredging.

o) Suggest specification of dredging equipment that will be useful for dredging of Nagin and Dal lake.

p) Design architecture of the vessel, which shall be aesthetically in conformity with the local ethos and environment.

Map

See page No 78 a

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.0 Introduction

The Jehlum River extending over a length of about 27 km from Pampore to Chattabal Weir within Srinagar City can be used as a public transport system very advantageously linking the total stretch systematically and synergistically. The major consideration for such a linkage is navigation on river. This energy-efficient and environmental this project to RITES vide letter No. UD-144/Jehlum/SDA dated 25.7.97.

The objective of the present study are:

Traffic estimation and forecast

Detailed design of waterway, passenger vessel and terminals on the projected traffic volume
Fix competitive tariff for IWT and other services providing adequate motivation to adopt IWT by user
Evaluate and propose the IWT system with best economic and financial result
Preparation of tender document for vessel, terminals and dredging
The details of financing plans for the implementation of the project with various possible options have also been worked out at the request of the Commissioner/Secretary H&UDD, Govt. of J&K

2.0 Traffic estimation and projection

Traffic estimates based on detailed surveys conducted at the feasibility stage in the year 1988-89 have been critically reviewed and updated in the present study. Discussions were also held with a number of user agencies in the hinterland and the information used in working out traffic projection.

The passenger and tourist projections are as under:

(i) Passenger traffic projections:

Year	1997-98	2001-02	2006-07	2011-12	2016-17
No of passengers	4286905	8041582	9322397	10807214	12528523

(ii) Tourist traffic projections:

Year	1997-98	2001-02	2006-07	2011-12	2016-17
No of tourists	802502	841087	891937	945861	1003046

3.0 Hydrographic Survey

To know the existing condition of river, hydrographic survey was conducted between Pampore and Chattabal during January- February 98-99, which is the lean flood period. For conducting the hydrographic survey ground control (horizontal & vertical) are very essential. The topographic survey (fixing of horizontal control & other ground features) was started taking arbitrary coordinate of station U/S Kadalbal. Horizontal control points were fixed with the help of distomat and ground features were taken by planimetry.

Levelling work (fixing of vertical control point was done with the help of Auto level & SOl bench marks.)

Cross section of flow channel at suitable intervals, but not exceeding 200 m on straight and 100 m where river turns/ meanders its course, were recorded by conventional methods. Soundings were taken with the help of sounding pole and position of depth was taken with Distomat at an interval of 5 m.

Hydrological investigations revealed that the waterway under study is subjected to large variations in water level. The maximum water level variation is about 7.1 m. The velocity of flow in the channel is generally 0.2 to 0.5 m/sec in lean season, but the quantum of discharge is adequate to provide the required depth for navigation. Morphological studies indicate that the waterway has adequate widths to accommodate the design vessel.

4.0 Waterway

Keeping in view the physical constraints of the sharpest bend near Batwara and the size of vessel that can ply in the waterway, the channel has been designed with dimensions of 20.6 m width between toe lines, 1.1 m depth below chart datum, side slopes of 1:3 and bed width as 14 m.

A total dredging quantity of about 32300 cum is estimated for development of the design channel and the material can be removed using cutter suction dredgers and grab/manual dredging. The requirement of dredger to implement this project has been studied in detail. Although procurement of a dredger IS not recommended, general details of the type and method of dredgers suitable for use in this waterway are presented in the report. A capital and maintenance dredging may be carried out by private agencies on contract basis. The tender document containing the etailed technical specifications bill of quantities etc. has been prepared andsubmitted separately.

Bank protection works such as pitching in wider reaches and vertical piling supporting concrete slabs are recommended. Suitable navigation aids to demarcate the channel for safe navigation are also provided. Due to the constraints vertical clearance in high flood conditions under the bridges, navigation is recommended only below dominant flood level as indicated in Annex, 3.7. One-way navigation is recommended under bridges from safety considerations.

5.0 Terminals

The traffic forecasts in respect of passengers & tourist traffic have been used as the basis for the functional planning of the terminals in an optimal way. The proposed terminals are:

1. Pampore, 7. Fateh Kadal,

2. Pantha Chowk, 8. Zaina Kadal,

3. Batwara, 9. Ali Kadal,

4. Zero bridge, 10. Nava Kadal,

5. Badshah Bridge, 11. Safa Kadal,

6. Habba Kadal, 12. Chattabal Weir.

A table showing the important features of the terminals is given below:

Table for important features of terminals

S. no	Name of terminal	Change in Km	Type of terminal	HFL (m) *	SLWL ** (m)	Cost of terminal (Rs)
1	Pampore	1.17	Bund with steps	1588.6	1582.19	22,17,107
2	Pantha Chowk	9.25	Bund with steps	1588.01	1581.58	23,23,520
3	Batwara	15.00	Gangway	1587.81	1581.17	31,30,481
4	Zero Bridge	20.00	Gangway	1587.80	1580.69	48,32,781
5	Badshah Bridge	22.50	Gangway	1587.59	1580.11	32,36,469
6	Habba Kadal	23.70	Piled jetty with sloping steps	1587.52	1580.42	40,25,780
7	Fateh Kadal	24.50	Piled jetty with sloping stairs	1587.14	1580.32	40,85,259
8	Zaina Kadal	25.00	Steps on natural ground	1587.14	1580.32	21,13,569
9	Ali Kadal	25.45	Piled jetty with sloping stairs	1587.05	1580.285	40,44,252
10	Nawa Kadal	25.80	Gangway	1580.97	1580.25	30,87,741
11	Safa Kadal	26.50	Gangway	1586.93	1580.200	32,36,469
12	Chattabal	27.25	Ramp with gangway	1586.83	1580.015	46,27,948

* HFL = High Flood Level ** SLWL = Standard Low Water Level

Note: - Zero Chainage taken as center line of Kadalbal (Bridge under construction)

The total terminal cost is Rs.410 lakhs. Hence terminals are broadly divided into two categories i.e. (i) with piled jetty approach and (ii) steps with steel gangway depending on the cross section of the waterway.

6.0 Vessel

The traffic forecasts and the design channel dictate the vessel design. Considering the waterway features, physical constraints in the waterway like bridges, the traffic demand during the peak hour and also keeping in view the local ethos and environment, the vessel is designed. The peak hour traffic demand has been estimated as 993 passengers in one direction. The vessel recommended is as follows:

Vessel capacity (sitting 48 + standing 10) 58 passengers
Length overall 15.3 m
Breadth moulded 3.4 m
Depth moulded 1.2 m
Draft 0.6 m
Speed 8 knots or 14 Kmph
Air draft 2.2 m
Engine capacity 50 KW
Vessel Self propelled

The number of vessels required to operate the system from Pampore to Chattabal is 21 nos. for current year.

The special vessels have been designed to cater to the comfort of tourists. The size of this vessel will be the same as that of passenger vessel, but the sitting capacity will be only 30. Additional facility such as pantry ete. have been provided.

For the projected traffic vessel requirement is given below:

No. of vessel for passenger traffic

Year	1997-98	2001-02	2006-07	2011-12	2016-17
No of passengers vessels	21	39	46	53	61

No of vessel for tourist traffic

Year	1997-98	2001-02	2006-07	2011-12	2016-17
No of tourists vessel	15	16	17	18	19

The cost vessel (passenger / tourist) has been estimated as Rs. 35.0 lakhs

7.0 Organization set up

An organization set up has been worked out considering the total requirement of operation and maintenance. This organization named as Waterway Organization under J&K Lakes and Waterway Deve1opment, Srinagar will handle all matters relating to operation and maintenance of navigational waterway and will have jurisdiction and control over all government, public and private vessel operators.

8.0 Environmental Impact Assessment

An environmental impact assessment study has been carried out to ascertain the impact of development of the waterway on the echo-system. The impact of development over the area in various stages of development and operation has been considered in detail. Though the environmental impact has been found to be minimum, certain mitigation measures have been proposed as additional precautions to preserve the environment.

9.0 Implementation Schedule

The project was proposed to be executed in three phase commissioning from the year 1999-2000 and the implementation schedule worked out accordingly.

10.0 Project Appraisal

1. The investment on the project has been planned in phases. The capital costs are summarized below:

Phase/ stage/ year	Terminal development	Waterways development	R & m w/shop	Spvs	Total
Phase I (1999-09) STAGE I 1999-200 2000-01 2002-03 Sub- Total	0.00 54.53 0.00 54.53	88.31 132.46 0.00 220.77	0.00	0.00 140.00 280.00 420.00	88.31 326.99 280.00 695.30
STAGE II 2004-05 2005-06 Sub- Total	62.01 62.00 124.01	0.00 0.00 0.00	50.00 50.00	0.00 1190.00 1190.00	62.01 1302.01 1364.01
Total	178.54	220.77	50.00	1610.00	2059.31
Phase II (2009-15) 2009-10 2010-11	115.54 115.54	0.00 0.00		0.00 875.00	115.54 990.54
Total	231.07	0.00		875.00	1106.07
Phase III (2015-16) 2015-16	0.00	0.00		315.00	315.00
TOTAL INVESTMENT	409.61	220.77	50.00	2800.00	3480.38

The annual O&M costs are as under:

(In Rs. Lacs)

Year	Terminal	R&M workshop	Waterways	Flotilla	Total
2001-02	5.75	-	43.34	18.00	67.09
2006-07	18.83	8.00	43.34	207.00	277.17
2011-12	43.22	8.00	43.34	319.50	414.00
2016-17	43.22	8.00	43.34	360.00	454.56

2. Economic appraisal of the project has been carried out and the viability worked out considering the benefits of IWT over the next best mode of transport i.e. road, Economic Internal Rate of Return (EIRR) and Financial Rate of Return (FIRR) have been worked out for each phase. The same is brought out in the table below:

Phase	EIRR ((%)	FIRR (%)
I	15.2	16.3
II	15.0	16.6
III	15.3	16.8

3. The tariff to be charged from passengers as well as tourists have been worked out taking into consideration the prevailing fares by bus transport as also their paying capacity.

4. Different financial packages have been discussed in detail under two alternatives:

Alternative I: Fully Government Sector Operations

Alternative II: Government Incurring All Expenditure Except For Flotilla

The Alternative I which is preferred scenario is summarized below:

(Cost in Rs. lakhs)

S. No	Items	Phase I	Phase II	Phase III
1	D.E. Ratio	1 : 1	1 : 1	1 : 1
2	Total Project Cost	2059.31	3165.38	3480.38
3	Interest During Construction (IDC)	39.14	61.99	61.99
4	Total Project Cost IDC	2098.45	3227.37	3542.37
5	Equity	1049.2	1613.7	1771.2
6	Debt	1049.2	1613.7	1771.2
7	DSCR * (Average)	2.7	3.3	3.3

* Debt Service Coverage Ratio

10.0 Conclusion and Recommendations

Based on the above study the following recommendations are made:

1. The project is recommended for immediate implementation, considering its tremendous potential of socio-economic benefits, as the economic rates of return are as per the accepted norms.

2. The possibility of private investment for the development/operation of IWT system may be explored in detail to reduce the financial burden of the Govt. of J&K. However, if all the operations are obtained by the Government returns would be higher.

3. It is recommended that the techno-economic feasibility study of development of IWT in Jehlum River from Anantnag to Baramulla may be carried out at the earliest as it is expected to improve the viability of the project further.

PEACE THROUGH FAITH

Since September 11, attack on W.T.C at Washington, there has been a dangerous attempt by some circles to associated terrorism with Islam, which could lead to chaos and catastrophe in mutual relations of people. This is the result of shear ignorance of the teachings of the religion of Islam by even Muslims and other religionists, who easily fall prey to this sort of heinous propaganda.

Even emotional feelings are aroused among ignorant Muslims by a counter propaganda that combating of terrorism by west is an excuse to come down upon innocent Muslims with heavy hand. In this process interested elements succeed in convincing people that an attack on a Muslim is to be considered an attack all Muslims. Here responsible Govt’s need to find alternative ways to avoid suffering of innocent people before this conflict takes the shape of a world wide conflict and mistrust between Islam and the west, disturbing thereby the PEACE and tranquility of the world.

Through there is a common ground that all religions preach peace, it is because of ignorance of each other’s teachings that a mistrust gets developed. Hence, the necessity of understanding the teachings of each other’s religions is a must, to avoid mistrust and to build confidence among people.

Misgivings have arisen especially among those who are not conversant with Islam. Such people, most of them Westerners are deplorably unaware of the fact that Islam is another name for peace and tranquility.

Man has to accept that the universe wherein everything exists, which contains millions of galaxies ever-expanding, cannot be the result of an accident.

The earth which is a small part of this universe compared to the heavenly bodies and appears to be a tiny speck serves as home, to us because of the will of the supreme planner- The ultimate source of power and wisdom i.e. the Almighty Allah.

All the visible and the invisible objects, the splendid creations of Allah act upon his ordained natural doctrines and laws willingly or unwillingly. The submission to Allah’s will is required from mankind willingly. Man has been granted wisdom and freedom of choice, the capability of doing both good and the bad deeds. When he chooses the virtuous deeds (which the Almighty Allah likes) throughout his life and dies upon the path of absolute submission to Allah, he will be rewarded with the everlasting life of complete peace and joy in the gardens of bliss.

The Quran declares that Islam, which literally means “Surrender of one’s will before Allah” and obedience of HIS law, the only way of life acceptable to Allah and that all messengers of Allah invited man to follow this way. Such messengers were raised in all ages and in all places.

“FOR EVERY PEOPLE THERE WAS A GUIDE” (Quran) “NEVER WAS THERE A PEOPLE WITHOUT A WARNER HAVING LIVED AMONG THEM”.(Quran)

Prophet Muhammad (P.B.H.) also invited mankind to this path, he did not preach a new message and found a new religion.

“HE HAS ORDAINED FOR YOU THE SAME RELIGION WHICH HAS BEEN ENJOINED ON NOAH AND IS (NOW) BEING REVEALED TO YOU AND WHICH WAS ENJOINED ON ABRAHAM, MOSES AND JESUS” (QURAN)

Muhammad (P.B.H) only completed Islam under the guidance of Almighty Allah.

A Muslim is therefore, enjoined to believe not only is one prophet but in all prophets including those whose names occur in the Quran and those whose names do not occur there. In this matter of belief, no discrimination is to be made against any prophet. The believers are ordered to avow. “WE DO NOT MAKE ANY DISTINCTION BETWEEN ONE AND ANOTHER OF HIS PROPHETS.” (Quran) And what is the essence of this universal way of life preached by all prophets a way which the Quran declares to be the only acceptable way to Allah. “THE RELIGION BEFORE ALLAH IS ONLY ISLAM” “AND A WAY OTHER THAN WHICH THERE IS NO WAY OF SALVATION.” (Quran).

“AND WHOEVER DESIRES A WAY OTHER THAN ISLAM (SUBMISSION TO ALLAH), IT SHALL NOT BE ACCEPTED OF HIM AND HE SHALL BE AMONG THE LOSERS IN THE HEREAFTER”. (Quran). Its essence is that it is the law of the universe. All objects in the universe, the Sun, the Moon the Planets, the immeasurable vast Galaxies, the Earth and all things therein follow the law ordained by Allah, the law of submission of Islam”. AND ALL THINGS IN THE HEAVE’S AND ON EARTH BOW TO HIS WILL WILLINGLY ON UNWILLINGLY”.

And even man, as for as the involuntarily aspects of his being is concerned, follows this law. He is born at a point of time and dies at a point of time. He cannot contravenes the law using his limbs for biological purposes for which they have been designed, he is to breaths through his nose and hear through his ears. To this extent the involuntary aspects of his being man too is a Muslim, an unconscious Muslim though. But his trial in this world consists in the fact that he has been granted a limited freedom to love his individual and collective life according to his choice. He may or may not follow the law of Allah in this voluntary aspect of being. If he chooses to follow this law and surrenders, his will before the will of Allah he becomes a conscious Muslim, a Muslim in the real sense of the term.

One who willingly chooses, to be a Muslim establishes atonce a contact with the ultimate source of eternal peace and the conscious and unconscious aspects of his being and therefore he is at peace with himself for another he is now no longer the denizen of an alien universe but follows the same path which all other objects of the universe follow and feels at peace with this friendly universe.

Thus, Islam submission to God leads him to a peace, which is accessible in no other way. I would like to point out here that by its roots in Arabic, Islam also means religions of peace. This peace permeates not only the mind and heart of the individual believer but also the collective life of man when the law of Islam is followed. Islam declares that all men are borne equal and nothing race, colour, language, nationality, but only God consciousness can place one above the other.

“O MANKIND, WE CREATED YOU FROM A SINGLE PAIR OF A MAN AND A WOMAN AND MADE YOU INTO NATIONS TRIBES SO THAT YOU KNOW EACH OTHER. INDEED THE MOST HONOURED OF YOU IN THE SIGHT OF GOD IS ONE WHO IS MOST CONSCIOUS OF HIM”. (Quran)

Expounding this principle of the unity and brotherhood of mankind, the prophet (PBH) remarked.

“AN ARAB HAS NO SUPERIORITY OVER A NON-ARAB NOR HAS THE NON-ARAB ANY SUPERIORITY OVER THE ARAB. SIMILARLY THE BLACK MAN IS NOT SUPERIOR TO THE RED-COMPLEXIONED ONE, NOR IS THE RED-COMPLEXIONED PERSON SUPERIOR TO THE BLACK MAN”.

He also said: -

“ALL OF YOU COME FORM ADAM AND ADAM CAME FORM CLAY”

Islam also ensured peace by establishing a complete equilibrium between the rights of Allah and the rights of man; no one can be a Muslim unless he fulfils his duty to man, as well as his duty to Allah. Martyrdom is a blanket guarantee for one’s entrance into paradise, but even a martyr cannot be forgiven, unless he has discharged all his debts and obligations to other men. This is why Islam regards asceticism monasticism and other escapist ways as inhuman, anti life and un-Islamic because such ways prevent man from doing his duty to man and human civilization. The essence of religion is not the observance of a set of rituals but fulfillment of one’s obligations to man and Allah. As the Quran says: -

“IT IS NOT RIGHT EOUSNESS TO TURN YOUR FACES TOWARDS EAST OR THE WEST BUT RIGHTEOUSNESS IS TO BELIEVE IN ALLAH, THE LIFE HEREAFTER, THE ANGELS, THE REVELATION AND THE MESSENGERS, TO SPEND OUT OF YOUR SUBSTANCE FOR THE LOVE OF ALLAH ON RELATIVES, ORPHANS, THE NEEDY, THE WAYFARER, THOSE WHO ASK AND ON LIBERATING OTHERS FORM BONDAGE; AND TO PERFORM SALAH AND PAY ZAKAH AND TO FULFILL A PROMISE WHEN ONCE IT IS MADE AND REMAIN PATIENT AND STEADFAST IN PAIN, SUFFERING AND ADVERSITY. THOSE WHO POSSESS THESE QUALITIES ARE THE TRUTHFUL AND THE GOD CONSCIOUS”.

Respect for human life which is the bedrock of social harmony is one of the cardinal tenets of the Islamic way. The Quran says: -

“WHOEVER SLEW A PERSON UNLESS IT BE FOR MURDER OR MISCHIEF ON THE EARTH- IT IS AS IF HE SLEW THE WHOLE MANKIND AND WHOEVER SAVED A PERSON IT IS AS IF HE SAVED THE WHOLE MANKIND.” (Quran)

Even when Muslims are defending themselves in a battle they are not allowed to touch any one, except those who are in arms against them. Old men, women, children and the non-belligerent cannot be harmed. In fact, Islam extends respect for life, to forms of life other than human, also. In a state of war trees cannot be felled, crops cannot be burnt and unnecessary destruction cannot be undertaken. The prophet once declared about a person, who took pity on a thirsty dog and gave it water, that, he won paradise by this act of kindness. On another occasion a companion of his had caught the young one’s of a sparrow. The prophet admonished him and saw to it that the young one’s are replaces in their nest. Himself he forgave his worst enemies at the time of the conquest of MAKKAH and set an example which remains unparallel in the history of mankind, he declared the who creation as the family of Allah and said that “Allah loves that person must, who is most kind to his family”. He also said: -

“BE KIND TO THOSE ON EARTH, ALLAH ABOVE SHALL BE KIND TO YOU” Islam does not rest content with mere platitudes but gives us a set of permanent principles to regulate our individual and social life. This code of conduct is not meant to limit human freedom but to save it from taking a disastrous course. History is replete with such disasters, consequent on man’s freeing himself from spiritual and moral control. If a fresh illustration was needed the misuse of scientific knowledge by mordern man is there for all to see.

Islam makes salvation dependent upon the virtuous thought and action of the individual himself. There is no escape form personal responsibility. In Islam there is no place for any form of atonement which sets an individual free to do whatever he likes nor can a person’s belonging to a certain tribe or race save him from the evil consequences of his actions. Salvation is not a monopoly of any individual or race; every one can be a candidate for it through faith (Iman) and virtuous action proceeding from it.

“NOW WHETHER IT IS THOSE WHO BELIEVE (THE MUSLIMS) OR THE JEWS, THE CHRISTIANS, THE SABIANS, WHOEVER BELIEVES IN GOD AND THE LAST DAY AND ACTS VIRTUOUSLY SHALL HAVE HIS REWARD WITH THE LORD AND SUCH PEOPLE SHALL HAVE NO FEAR OR GRIEF”. (Quran)

The life hereafter is a natural sequel to the earthly life. It is faith and actions, our conduct in this life, which appears as reward and punishment in the hereafter. The prophet (PBH) told his beloved daughter, Fatimah, that she should earn her salvation in the hereafter by her own faith and virtuous deeds. As in that new order, no one can bear any one else’s burden.

“NO BEARER OF BURDENS CAN BEAR THE BURDEN OF OTHERS” (Quran)

The fundamental principal laid down by the Quran in this regard is: -

“MAN CAN HAVE NOTHING BUT WHAT HE STRIVES FOR”.

This in nutshell is the essence of Islam the universal message preached to mankind by all the prophets of Allah. The Quran says this message was perfected and finalized through Muhammad (PBH) and that salvation now depends upon following this final version of Allah’s revelation to his prophets. It is a claim which deserves extremely serious consideration from all particularly from people like you who are earnestly engaged in the pursuit of truth, people who do not regard man as a mere animal to live for food, clothing’s and shelter only, but visualize as higher destiny for him, people, who in the language of Quran are as (MUTTAQIN), the God conscious ones. The Quran declared that without doubt it is book of guidance for such people: -

“THIS IS THE BOOK CONTAINING GUIDANCE, WITHOUT DOUBT, FOR THE GOD-CONSCIOUS ONES”. (Quran)

May Allah, in his boundless mercy, guide us to the way of truth and salvation – Ameen!

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY-2003

Water Resource Development in India

The water available to us on Earth is a finite quantity that has not changed over millennia. This has to be compared with increasing demands from a growing population. The population of the world is expected to exceed 8 billion by the year 2050 as against 6 billion in 2000 AD adding over 79 million every year. Apart from shear numbers, the processes of urbanization and development shall vastly increase the demand of fresh water. This situation of a finite supply and a growing demand leads to the projection of water scarcity, which could be severe in some parts of the world.

Institutions like World Water Commission, World Water Council, Global Water Partnership have sprung up to deal with this end and related matters. Efforts have been on to build up national, regional, and global ‘water visions’ for the year 2025 which culminated in a massive World water forum at The Hague in 2000 AD.

There has been growing concern of threatening water scarcity. Seminars and conferences all over the world have suddenly made it a favoured subject. The UNDP, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank are concerned about the projected global water scarcity.

It is envisaged that future wars will be fought over water and not oil. The scarcity in parts of India in the last few years and even in J&K State has raised the alarm.

INDIAN SCENARIO

Within India, a consciousness of the importance of the subject of water resources led to the establishment of National Commission on Integrated Water Resources Development plan six years ago which submitted its report in the year 1999.

The annual precipitation by way of rain and snow over India’s land mass is 4,000 cu. Km, but the annual water resources of the country are measured in terms of the ‘run off’. This has been estimated by the National Commission as 1,953 cu. Km. (including both surface and ground water resources). The annual ‘usable’ water resources of the country are 690 cu. km. of the surface water and 396 cu. km. ground water making a total of 1086 cu. km. The present quantum of use in put around 600 cu. km.

Thus in national terms the position is not uncomfortable at the moment, though this will change with the growth of population and the process of urbanization and development. The National Commission has come to the conclusion that by 2050 the demand will Catch up with the supply. There will be a difficult situation, provided that a number of measures on the demand and supply sides are taken in time.

VARIATIONS: National aggregates and averages are not useful. There are wide variations in the availability of water in the country. Much of the rainfall occurs within a few months during the year and even during that period, the intensity is concentrated within a few weeks. There is a wide range in precipitation from 100 mm in Rajasthan to 11,000 mm. in Cherrapunji. Sixty percent of the water resources of India are to be found in the Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna river systems, which account for 33 percent of the geographical area of the country; 11 percent in the west flowing rivers south of Tapti covering 3 percent of the area; and the balance 29 percent in the remaining river systems spread over 64 percent of the land area.

The Himalayan Rivers are snow-fed and perennial, where as the peninsular rivers are dependent on the monsoons and therefore seasonal. Again the North and the East are well endowed with water, whereas the west and south are water short. Apart from the desert areas of Rajasthan, there are arid or drought prone areas in parts of Gujrat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and the eastern parts of the country experience devastating floods from time to time.

SOLUTIONS: The solutions suggested have been (a) storing river waters in reservoirs behind large dams to transfer water from the season of abundance to that of scarcity (b) Water transfers from surplus areas to water short areas. Both large storages (i.e reservoirs) and the ‘linking of rivers’ (i.e inter basin transfers) have been striking the minds of water resource planners. The idea of gravity link canal between the Brahmaputra and Ganga through Bangladesh was rejected by Bangladesh and has been abondoned but the idea of tapping the waters of the Brahmaputra continues to exercise the minds of our water planners.

The idea of Ganga- Cauvery link mooted by Dr. K. L. Rao and a proposal of garland canal – since discarded; are still haunting the minds of Indian public, particularly the water-short south. The National Water Development Agency (NWDA) has been studying the resources of different basins for over two decades, assessing the surpluses for transfer and identifying possibility of storages, links and transfers. The possibility of transferring waters from the Mahanadi to Godavari and thence to Krishna, the Pennar and the cauvery, though it is difficult to persuade Orissa and Andra Pradesh that there is a surplus in the Mahanadi or in the Godavri.

Recently even supreme court had to intervene over water dispute between the two southern States.

Besides the diversion of west- flowing rivers eastwards has also met with resistance. In recent years, the NWDA has been studying the Himalayan rivers, but this is an even more difficult subject.

Though the National Commission talks about demand management, economy in water use, resource conservation etc. and local harvesting and watershed development projects, which are regarded as the primary answer to the future needs of a growing population. The report also discusses the financing of the projects and the contributing role of private sector participation in the massive effort that is envisaged.

Thus at the regional/ international level and at the national level there seems to be wide spread agreement that (a) to the projected water needs of the future an important part of the answer lies in water Resource Development Projects and (b) considering the financial constraints and managerial limitations of government, a significant part of that development will have to come from the Private sector.

Various Projects under Consideration

A number of projects are envisaged for hydroelectricity and Irrigation and flood moderation in some cases in Nepal, Karnali, Pancheswar, Sapatakosi etc. Bangladesh being interested in these and other projects in Nepal form the point of view of augmenting the lean season flows of the Ganga. In India the Tehri Hydroelectric Project in Himalayas, is being built despite opposition. Several projects have been formulated in Brahmaputra besides the idea of transfer of waters from Brahmaputra is still live. In Bhutan, Mamas and Sankosh projects are to come up. In Tripura, the Tipaimukh project in Magna/Barak has been proposed. On the Teesta, a tributary of the Brahamputra, both India and Bangladesh have built Barrages and overcome inadequacy of water, the idea of building a dam has been mooted.

The NWDA has been studying the possibility of transfer of waters from the Mahanadi to the Godavari and thence to Krishna, the Pennar and the Cauvery. This would involve building a number of dams and links. The idea of transfer from the Himalayan rivers to the Peninsular rivers is also on the anvil. The State Govt’s of Maharashtha Karnatka and Andhra Pradesh may embark on a number of projects with a view to establishing or improving their respective claims under the Awards of Tribunals on the shared rivers. On the Narmada, apart from the major projects (Sardar Sorovar, Narmada Sagar), a host of other projects, big and small are envisaged in the overall plan. Finally there is the idea of diversion of some west flowing peninsular rivers eastwards.

However not many of these projects one likely to materialize one to financial constraints and strong opposition to the projects. Assuming if most of these materialize there will be an addition to hydroelectric power capacity, creation of additional irrigation potential and consequent enhancement of agricultural production, some flood moderation and possibly an addition to navigation possibilities.

There will also be adverse impacts (environmental, social and human) and there can be no assurance that the benefit will outweigh these costs. Assuming however, the gains will exceed costs, the totality of the projects taken together will constitute a massive onslaught on nature.

COMMON CONSEQUENCES: The impact will vary from case to case but the common factor shall be violent disturbances of prestine areas, varying degrees of submergence of land including forests in some cases, impact on flora and fauna, leading to a reduction in biodiversity, in particular, severe impacts on the fish population in the rivers, the stilling of flowing waters leading to temperature stratification, variations in nutrient content and dissolved oxygen rendering the water inhospitable to aquatic life, drastic changes in the river regime dowstrean of the dam, increased pollution levels, and so on. Some of these effects cannot be remedied or even mitigated and in some cases efforts at mitigating or compensating for environment impacts create further problems. Further, it is clear from past experience, that all the consequences and ramifications arising from the damming of a river cannot really be fully foreseen and planned for.

In most cases there will be varying degrees of displacement of human settlements, with the attendant problems of resettlement and rehabilitation, this impact falls on poor and disadvantaged sections particularly tribal communities.

Inspite of all these disadvantages, it is established that future needs cannot be met without massive ‘Water Resources Development’ i.e large storage (dam and reservoir) projects and that local rainwater harvesting and watershed development, while very necessary, are bound to remain secondary and supplementary to large projects & cannot be a major component of water resource planning. However some opin that they see great potential in water harvesting and watershed development and are convinced that these activities undertaken in several thousands of locations all over the country, are capable of making a substantial contribution towards the future needs, while being environmentally benign, people centered and conducive to equity.

Thus a major push needs to be given to these activities. The need for large projects can be minimized (if not eliminated) and the environmental and socials and human impacts will be correspondingly reduced.

J & K SCENARIO:

The total area of 2,22,236 Sq. Kms of J & K State is drained by three Rivers namely Indus, Chenab and Jhelum. A small part of the state is drained by Ravi River in Katha District. The three rivers basins form three district regions of Ladakh and Kargil district, Jammu Division and Kashmir valley. Having Corresponding annual yield of 9.5 million 42.76 million and 90 lac Aereft respectively.

In Kashmir Division out of 3.40 lac hectares only 2.02 hectares one irrigated and in Jammu division out of 3.73 lac hectares only 0.88 lac hectares one irrigated. In case of Leh and Kargil District cultivation is done only in irrigated area of 17,950 hectares as due to scanty rains and lack of moisture nothing grows on unirrigated lands.

Indus Water Treaty Implications

As per Indus Water Treaty the basin wise limitations for maximum irrigation that can be done are: -

Indus: 70,000 acres

Jhelum 4,00,000 acres

Chenab 2,25,000 acres

However in case of Chenab there is limitation of 50,000 acres only from flow irrigation. The balance can be irrigated only if we construct conservation storages.

According to the study made by CWC, 84,753 hect. can be yet be irrigated in Chenab Basin and 26,000 hect. can be brought in irrigation in Leh District under the treaty. The entire cultivated area can be brought under irrigation within limits of Indus Treaty, if it were physically possible in Jehlum Basin.

LEH & KARGIL DISTRICT

Subsequently schemes with grass potential of 5288 hect. were reported taken up in Leh District, 1111 hect. in Kargil District, schemes for 2200 hect. were identified in Leh and 500 hect. in Kargil District. Even after this as provision of Indus treaty there still remained scope of irrigation of 18,000 hect. in Leh.

In Indus Water Treaty there is restriction on irrigation but there is no restriction on moisture conservation measures. In Leh and Kargil District there are 15 Nallah’s, which have surplus discharges in the month of July- August. Substantial areas of catchment of these Nallah’s could be made productive by constructing small and big tanks, where there are sites available. This surplus water could be made to seep into ground so that vegetable cover grows on these lands.

JHELUM BASIN: About 66% area is already irrigated. A large no. of lift irrigation projects have come up including some medium schemes like koil irrigation, Lete Pora Scheme, Tral Rajpora scheme, Besides there are orchards and Labroo lands not amenable to irrigation.

There are south facing slopes karewas etc. which are least productive. Massive moisture conservation on there slopes will make them productive; which if properly treated could be big source of fodder trees.

CHENAB BASIN: Conservation storage is necessary to irrigate the remaining areas because of Indus water treaty obligations. Maximum unirrigated areas are in Rajouri and Udhampore. The Doda district being highly mountainous may not be amenable to irrigation.

Surplus water of July, August and February and January can be stored to irrigate more areas which may envisage construction of small/ big tanks with small dams for which investigation can be taken up.

CONCLUSION

Long term perspective of utilization of water resources have to be:

i) To irrigate remaining areas within the Indus Water Treaty limits in Leh, Kargil, Jammu and Kashmir Divisions.

ii) To have water harvesting, moisture/ soil retention measures to make barren hill slops productive.

iii) To exploit identified hydro potential of 9935 M.W in entire State.

The tasks are gigantic and pose a challenge to the Engineers and planners of the time.

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY-2003

World Water Scenario

Among the planets of the solar system, only the earth has water available in its three forms: Solid, Liquid and Vapour. This global inter change system of glacier-ocean-atmosphere maintains a comfortable environment that supports life- forms from the polar bear to the tropical orchid.

About 72% of the surface of our Globe is still covered with water, if the uneven ground surface is levelled, the mean elevation of land sphere level would be 7000 to 10,000 ft below the surface of the ocean. This shows the predominance of water on our globe. That all life began in the water is confirmed by biological science. That land animals including man show in their embryological history, organs like those of fishes indicating the watery origin of their original habitat. The constitution of protoplasm is about 80 to 85% water. The main constituent of human body is 70 to 85% water.

RIVERS AND LAKES: Earth is the water planet, seven tenths submerged or covered by ice. Our heads are wreathed in a thin veil of water vapour. The ground beneath our feet is continuously worn away by the flow of running water. And our lakes provide us with some of the planets most breathtaking sites of natural beauty and most of the fresh water we use. Although only 0.0001% of the earths water is in its rivers, running water has a monumental effect on the landscape.

The rivers of the world are like great conveyor belts emptying over a billion cubic feet of fresh water into the oceans every second. One day’s discharge from the Amazon alone, which accounts for 20% of the total, could supply New York with water for nine years. More than 10 billion tons of sediment are swept along from mountain ranges, of this 40% is discharged by Huanghe, Yangtze, Irrawaddy, Mekong and Indus. These six rivers rise on the roof top of the world in the icy wastes of the Himalayas and Tibetan area that accounts for only 4% of the earths land surface.

WHERE THE WATER IS: The heat of the sun evaporates water from the surface into the atmosphere - a giant mixing system that recycles some 5,16,000 cu. kms. of water a year back to sea and land as rain or snow; of this about 1,04,000 cu. kms. falls on the land to flow as rivers toward the sea. Only 0.6% of the earths water is liquid fresh and at any one time a mere fraction of that is in its rivers and lakes. The remainder is ground water- rain that has sunk underground and is either tapped for wells or issues as springs.

LIQUID ASSETS: Most of the worlds water is in the oceans. A small proportion is bond up in ice sheets and glaciers, white a tiny fraction about 1/10,000 exists in rivers and lakes.

DESERTIFICATION: About one third of the earths surface, fringing the great deserts, is arid, often subjected to prolonged draught. Natural ecosystems here are adapted to long dry spells and can take them in their stride. But when such areas are put under pressure by rising population and the demand for food, their ability to sprung back to productiveness after draught is severely reduced. The rains, when they come, rather than soaking into and feeding the land, can wash away the soil, extending the limits of the desert. Every year about 1,22,000 sq. kms, of agricultural land are made worthless this way. The process of desertification is probably worsened by the increasing levels of carbon dioxide and other gases in the atmosphere, produced by the burning of fossil fuels, which are likely to raise global temperatures within the next century by up to 4.5⁰C.

Unchecked desertification tends to be self- Sustaining. The destruction of vegetation by over use of the land makes the surface of the soil more reflective and less absorbent. Both evaporation and rainfall decrease and regrowth becomes less likely.

A problem of such vast proportion is not easily dealt with. A reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from the industrial countries will help. Keeping animals and vehicles off certain areas can reestablish vegetation. The deliberate planting of forest and shrub-stands in Russia, India and China reduces erosion on a large scale.

WATER FOR LIFE: Water is a limited resource, which needs to be carefully managed. Its natural abundance, in a region, and how it is collected, stored and distributed has a major impact on a country’s economy, determining what crops can be grown and whether there is sufficient to meet domestic and industrial demands. The establishment of some of the first civilizations in the Middle East was due to the inspired use of Nile floodwater for irrigation.

THE WATER WE USE:

If water is to be available on demand all the year round it needs to be collected, stored. How this is done varies around the world, according to climate and geography.

a) In Asia: Water from heavy rainfall and river run offs during the monsoon season is collected and stored in aquifers and reservoirs for use in the dry season. China for example has over 80,000 reservoirs.

b) In some tropical countries and islands, such as Bermuda, where surface and ground water is limited, each household has its own tank in which to collect and store rain water.

c) In European temperate zones, resources are distributed through river basins often via man-made canals and reservoirs. Aqueduct systems have been built to reach the major cities, such as Marseilles and Vienna.

d) In North America Canada has the largest number of inland lakes in the world. The Ogallala aquifer, the largest source of ground water in the USA, extends for 4,00,000 Sq. miles under the central plains, and supplies major cities via extensive aqueduct systems.

e) South America is largely trained by the Amazon, Orinoco and Paraguay – Parana rivers. Most of its permanent lakes are high in the Andes.

f) In Africa: Vast areas suffer low or irregular rainfall. Since the 1950 dams and reservoirs have been built, but in some parts such as Ethiopia, people still have to walk for miles to reach the nearest tap or well.

g) In Australia 70% of water reserves are located beneath the vast plains in the great artesian basin – the worlds largest area of artesian water.

WORLD WATER DISTRIBUTION

a) Areas having plentiful water all the year round: The equatorial rain forests of south America and south east Asia receive heavy daily rainfall. Countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia have harnessed such climatic conditions to cultivate oil palms and extensive rubber tree plantations.

b) Areas having marginal water in the growing season: Grass lands in the centre of large continents tend to have a drier climate than areas nearer the sea. Dry winters are followed by limited rainfall in spring and early summer. They are generally formed for cereal and livestock.

c) Areas having markedly seasonal water supplies: Large areas of Indian Ocean subcontinent and southern China have a tropical monsoon climate, where 80% of rainfall occurs during a three month period each year. Such a climate is ideally suited to the cultivation of rice.

d) Constant water Deficit Areas: Little will grow in deserts, but some of the countries of the Arabian peninsula have harnessed non conventional water sources. They obtain fresh water through the desalination and purification of sea water. Sea is heated to 80⁰C and the vapour given off which contains very little salt – is condensed and collected. This process is repeated to produce water of acceptable drinking quality. Sometimes an alternative methods is used. Sea water is forced through a special membrane, which traps salt; allowing only pure water through.

WORLD WATER CONSUMPTION

More than 90% of world water consumption goes to agriculture (table – 1). Domestic use accounts for less than 3% with only a little more being consumed by industry. The major industrial use of water is for cooling in nuclear and other thermal power plants and for turning turbines in hydroelectric plants. Other heavy industrial uses are the chemical, oil, paper and machinery manufacturing sectors.

WATER CONSUMPTION PATTERNS

The pattern of water use varies in different parts of the world. For example, in the developed world- Western Europe and North America – industry often makes just as much, if not more, demand on water resources than agriculture.

Table 1

Water Consumption by Continent (billionm³)

Continent	Agriculture	Domestic	Industry
Africa	120	6	6
Asia	1500	50	80
Europe	230	50	270
North America	400	90	650
Oceania	14	1.50	10
South America	60	7	12

LAND IRRIGATION: UNESCO estimates that nearly half the worlds crop production, in terms of value, comes form irrigated land. Without irrigation, many nations would find it impossible to feed their populations or develop their economies. In China and India, the high yield of rice is totally dependent upon controlled floods, which irrigates the river plains in the dry season. Egypt would be as infertile as the Sahara desert without the heavy monsoon from the East African highlands, which flood the River Nile. The water is stored, via the Aswan Dam in the lake Nasser reservoir. The thriving fruit farms of California are dependent on water brought from the Colorado river via a 390 Km. long aqueduct.

THE WORLDS LARGEST RESERVOIRS

Canada Maniconagam 141,900 million m³

do Williston lake 70,300 do

Venezuela Guri 135,000 do

Russia Krasnoyarsk 73,300 do

do Bratsk 169,000 do

Egypt Lake Nasser 162,00 do

Aswan Dam

Ghana Lake Volta 148,000 do

Akosomba Dam

Uganda

Kenya Lake Victoria

Tanzania

owen falls Dam 204,800 do

Zimbabwe

Zambia Kariba lake 160,400 do

THE DYING SEA: The Aral sea was once the worlds fourth largest lake. But from the 1960’s on, the rivers feeding it were diverted to irrigate the Cotton fields of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The sea began to recede and its dwindling waters were irredeemably polluted with pesticides and other agrochemicals. The Aral is now an ecological disaster zone. It will almost certainly disappear by 2015, leaving a poisonous desert in its place.

This should serve as a word of caution to those who plan to disturb natural resources by interlinking or diverting rivers, for which opinions have been invited recently.

The Holy Quran Reveals

He it is who created, The Heavens & The Earth, In six days – and His Throne was over the Waters, That He might try you, which of you is best in conduct (11:7)

The Heavens & the Earth were joined together (as one unit of creation), before we close them asunder, We made from water, Every living thing, will they not then believe? (21: 30)

And we sent down water, from the sky according to (Due) Measure and we cause it to soak in the soil, And we certainly are able to drain it off (with ease) (23:18)

And Allah has created every animal from water of then there are some that creep on their bellies, some that walk on two legs, and some that walk on four, Allah creates what He wills, for verily Allah has power over all things. (24:15)

About the Author

Born in Srinagar Kashmir on 19.12.1942. Studied in J & K University, graduated in Civil Engineering in Annamalai South India (1959-63), served J & K PWD in various capacities, retired in 2002 AD with last assignment as Project Officer Chrari Sharief Development Project (2000-2002), Fellow Institution of Engineers (India) life member Indian Road Congress, Member New Horizons Society for Research and Development (J&K), has several publications to his credit.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Born in Srinagar Kashmir on 19-12-1942. Studied in J & K University, graduated in Civil Engineering in Annamalai University South India (1959-63), served J & K State PWD in various capacities, retired in 2002 AD, with last assignment as Project Officer Charari Sharief Development Project (2000-2002). Fellow Institute of Engineers (India), life member Indian Road Congress. Member New Horizons Society for Research and Development (J & K), has several publications to his credit.

About Ashraf Fazili

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

OUR IMMEDIATE CONCERN (Continued)