Chandigarh, October 24:
Punjab Water Resources Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal today directed that a special committee be constituted to visit other states and study innovative as well as economical flood protection techniques suitable for Punjab’s topography.
Chairing a high-level meeting at the Committee Room of the Irrigation Building, the Water Resources Minister said that such comparative studies would help in adopting cost-efficient and practical methods to strengthen the state’s flood management infrastructure. He issued strict directions to the department for timely completion of all flood protection and desilting works ahead of the next monsoon season. The Minister reviewed the ongoing and proposed measures for flood prevention and effective water management across the state.
Taking up the matter of recurring flooding in Baupur Island, the Cabinet Minister expressed concern over the hardships faced by local residents and instructed the department to work out suitable technical solutions to provide permanent relief. He also reviewed the situation in waterlogged areas and asked officials to plan and execute long-term projects to ensure sustainable mitigation.
Sh. Goyal stressed that all flood protection works must be executed with full diligence and completed well before the onset of the next monsoon season. He directed officials to ensure close monitoring of field execution and timely completion of tendering processes.
While discussing the desilting programme, the Cabinet Minister stressed that field execution should commence at the earliest to ensure the natural flow of water through rivers and drains. He further directed that plantations and other obstructions from river courses must be removed without delay. Officials informed that notices have already been issued to those responsible for encroachments.
The meeting also reviewed the status of breach repair works undertaken during recent floods. The Water Resources Minister lauded the dedicated efforts of field officers and district administrations for executing these works swiftly and effectively.
Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Principal Secretary Sh. Krishan Kumar, Chief Engineer (Drainage) S. Hardeep Singh Mendiratta, Chief Engineer (Designs) Mr. Vijay Kumar Garg and senior officers of the department.
