IEP Chandigarh, July 13
On the directions of Chief Minister Punjab,S. Bhagwant Mann, Minister for Local Government, Punjab Balkar Singh today held a video conference meeting with all Municipal Corporation Commissioners and Additional Deputy Commissioners (Urban Development) of the state and asked them to improve rainwater drainage in cities during the monsoon season. Instructions were given to clean the drainage system for proper drainage and ensure supply of chlorinated water to prevent diseases spread in rain.
The Cabinet Minister directed the officials to ensure early all the necessary arrangements to deal with the problem of waterlogging keeping in mind the rainy season so that there is no problem in draining water during rains. Emphasizing on the cleanliness of the drainage system, the Local Government Minister said that the roads, streets and manholes of all cities should be properly cleaned and besides fixing the drainage system, the work of cleaning the drains that carry rain water forward should be done. It should be done on the basis of priority so that the problem of water filling does not arise during rains. After identifying of low-lying places in those cities, where there is a possibility of water accumulation, instructions were also given to arrange generator sets and pumps there so that when water accumulates during rains, it can be removed immediately.
The Cabinet Minister asked the officials to ensure continuous fogging and spraying of larvicide in cities to prevent diseases spread due to mosquitoes breeding on stagnant water during rainy season. He directed that apart from regularly spraying black oil on standing water, chlorine tablets should be distributed in rain-affected houses and chlorinated water supply should be ensured in cities. He said that drinking water pipes should be checked, wherever any leakage is found, it should be repaired immediately.
The Cabinet Minister asked the officials to identify such old and dilapidated buildings and take special precautions in order to save precious lives due to the collapse of dilapidated and old houses/buildings during the rainy season. He said that if the condition of any building is very dilapidated then it should be vacated and suitable arrangements should be made for the stay of the people living there. He said that in such areas, where there may be damage due to the collapse of such buildings, arrangements should also be made for the protection of the nearby settlements. Meanwhile, he also gave instructions for immediate repair of roads, footpaths, streets, sewage pipes and grills damaged during the rains.
On this occasion, Mr. Ajoy Sharma, Principal Secretary Local Government, Mr. Malwinder Singh Jaggi, CEO Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Mrs. Isha Kalia, CEO PMIDC and Mr. Uma Shankar Gupta, Director Local Government were specially present in the meeting.
