Project Development Objective

The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to support the recovery and increase disaster resilience in targeted areas of the state, and increase the capacity of the State entities to respond promptly and effectively to an eligible crisis or emergency.

Project Components

The project is comprised of the following seven components:

(i) Reconstruction and strengthening of critical infrastructure (US$60 million)

(ii) Reconstruction of roads and bridges (US$80 million)

(iii) Restoration of urban flood management infrastructure (US$50 million)

(iv) Strengthening and restoration of livelihoods (US$15 million)

(v) Strengthening disaster risk management capacity (US$25 million)

(vi) Contingent Emergency Response (US$0 million)

(vii) Implementation Support (US$20 million

Component 1 – Reconstruction and strengthening of critical infrastructure

The objective of this component is to support the reconstruction/restoration of damaged public buildings, such as hospitals, schools, higher education buildings, fire stations, and selected block and district offices, and other important public buildings. It will include the restoration of partially damaged structures and the reconstruction of fully damaged structures, including equipment and furniture.

The component will finance infrastructure and equipment damaged by the disaster, and improvements to current structures to increase resilience. Assessments will be carried out to determine the extent of structural integrity and retrofitting/reconstruction needs. For hospitals, the reconstruction will be focused on replacement of damaged specialized medical equipment, setting up specialized equipment on higher levels which will entail strengthening the structural integrity of buildings in order to be able to sustain the heavy load. For some hospitals, special diagnostics and pathology sections/extensions will be built since existing structures will be unable to sustain the load of heavy equipment on higher levels. Some older hospitals will also require retrofitting in order to ensure seismic resistance. The component will also finance the repair and reconstruction of damaged higher education, fire station, and other public buildings, including the procurement of equipment/furniture, etc.

Component 2 – Reconstruction of roads and bridges

The objective of this component is to restore and improve the connectivity disrupted due to the disaster through the reconstruction of damaged roads and bridges. The infrastructure will be designed to withstand earthquake and flood forces as per the latest official design guidelines. The affected areas will benefit by the restored access to the markets thereby increasing the economic growth in these areas and timely access to health and education services. Restoration of roads will also serve as supply/rescue lines in the event of disaster.

The component will finance support the reconstruction of about 300km of damaged roads and associated drainage works, retaining walls, breast walls and other structures to increase resilience. It will also finance the restoration and improvement of about 40 damaged bridges, designed to be seismic resilient (per the guidelines of the Bureau of Indian Standards) and with regard to topography and hydrology (per the guidelines of the Indian Roads Congress, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways), and projected demographic changes.

Component 3 – Restoration of urban flood management infrastructure

The objective of this component is to strengthen and reinforce existing weak and vulnerable flood control infrastructure. Investments will primarily include rehabilitation/renovation of around 56 storm water pumping stations in Srinagar city, and replacement of the power equipment, switch/ panel boards at elevated places, and related investments for improvement and increased resilience.

Component 4 – Restoration and strengthening of livelihoods

1. Subcomponent 4.1 – Restoration of physical and productive assets (US$13 million). To finance the restoration of the training workshop and display building within the premises of the main handicraft & handloom market in Srinagar and the School of Design, as well as damaged productive assets in livelihood training institutions and affected craftsman families.

Subcomponent 4.2 -Technical assistance for risk proofing non-farm livelihood (US$2 million). To finance: i) vulnerability assessment of non-farm livelihoods and to identify opportunities for increased resilience; and ii) developing options to increase access to finance and insurance for non-farm livelihood

Component 5 – Strengthening disaster risk management capacity

The objective of this component is to enhance the capabilities of Govt J&K entities in managing disaster risks, enhancing preparedness, and achieving resilient recovery. This component will entail the following:

Capacity Building of the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) and Disaster Response Networks. To finance the development of SDMA’s institutional set up including its organizational structure, staffing, and resources. It will also fund training programs and regular drills for the emergency operations center staff and Disaster Management Officers at the District and State levels. It will also include setting up Disaster Response Force and up gradation of fire and civil defense services.

2. Setting up Decision Support System (DSS) and Emergency Operation Centers. To finance the establishment of a DSS that will integrate and analyze information from multiple sources in an integrated geo-spatial system. The system will be designed to display information and provide access in a user-friendly manner. It will also finance the upgrading of existing Emergency Operation Centers and the establishment of new ones in critical areas.

3. Hydro-meteorological Resilience Action plan. To finance the review of existing hydro-meteorological capabilities and preparation of resilience action plan that will focus on extreme weather events; develop resilience solutions/recommendations for sectors impacted by disasters such as agriculture, livelihoods, energy, infrastructure etc.; and focus on urban hot-spot areas in helping develop urban resilience plans. This will also review existing early warning systems (EWS), identify gaps and establish a robust, fail safe EWS in the State including optimum use of strengthened networks and facilities.

4. River Morphology Study. This will support the study of the entire morphology of some key rivers impacted by the disaster. The study will also analyze and identify critical protective infrastructure works needed for river bank strengthening.

5. Urban vulnerability assessment study with specific focus on seismic risk mitigation. To finance a detailed urban vulnerability analysis and model various risks for effective mitigation planning and disaster response preparedness, with a focus on seismic risk. This will include, inter alia assessment of existing compliance and enforcement mechanisms for disaster risk management, consultation workshops for policy makers/decision-makers on techno-legal regimes and amendments to existing by-laws, workshops for engineers/town planners/ municipal corporations on urban risk reduction, preparation of city/ward level DRM plans, including evacuation routes and identification of safe shelters, disaster resources, advocacy workshops on mainstreaming/integrating urban risk reduction in development plans, and awareness for community on safer construction practices and disaster preparedness.

6. Upgrading design guidelines and material specification for construction in seismic zones. To carry out an update of current construction design standards and material specifications to align them with national and international best practice given the risk profile of the state.

7. Disaster Risk Financing and Insurance (DRFI). To finance an assessment of options to increase the financial resilience of the State, which is essential to increase a state’s financial response capacity to secure cost-effective access to adequate funding for emergency response, reconstruction, and recovery. This involves ensuring that funds can be allocated and disbursed effectively following disasters. This includes, inter alia, targeted public sector insurance coverage to protect critical assets, including public infrastructure, and promoting responsible property and agricultural insurance.

Component 6 – Contingent Emergency Response

Following an adverse natural event that causes a major natural disaster, the Govt of J&K may request the Bank to re-allocate project funds to support response and reconstruction. This component would draw resources from the unallocated expenditure category and/or allow the Govt of J&K to request the Bank to re-categorize and reallocate financing from other project components to partially cover emergency response and recovery costs. This component could also be used to channel additional funds should they become available as a result of the emergency.

1.4.7 Component 7 – Implementation Support

This component would finance incremental operating costs of the Project, including the operation of the Project Management Unit (PMU) and Project Implementation Units (PIUs). In addition, the component will include consultancies required for the preparation and supervision of specific activities, trainings, exposure visits and knowledge exchange programs, etc.