Minister reviews monsoon prep in Patiala, calls for monitoring of water level in rivers

Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh today chaired two review meetings focusing on environmental safety and inclusive rural development.

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In a meeting held with Deputy Commissioner Dr Preeti Yadav, PDA Chief Administrator Manisha Rana and officials of the Drainage Department, Singh assessed the water levels of major rivers and rivulets flowing through the district, including Ghaggar, Tangri, Markanda, Mirapur Cho and Pachhidra.

He directed officials to maintain constant monitoring, especially during the monsoon, and noted that while heavy rainfall in upstream catchment areas has caused a rise in water levels, the situation remains under control.

The minister emphasised the urgent need for a permanent solution to rainwater drainage in the city’s low-lying areas. He asked officials to draft a proposal for installing separate storm water pipelines to divert rainwater through alternative routes, as excessive monsoon discharge often limits the city’s drainage into already overflowing rivers.

Singh also reviewed the progress of two major Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) being developed in Patiala — a 15 MLD plant at Daulatpur and a 26 MLD plant behind Sunny Enclave.

The facilities will treat sewage from PUDA (15 MLD), Sanour (4 MLD), and surrounding colonies (2 MLD). Designed with future requirements in mind, the STPs will have an additional capacity of 5 MLD and are expected to be fully operational by October 2025.

Reviews village development plans

In another meeting with panches and sarpanches of 20 villages in Patiala Rural, Singh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to non-discriminatory, all-inclusive rural development. He stated that development was no longer dictated by political favoritism, and under CM Bhagwant Mann’s leadership, every village is being developed equally and transparently.

The Minister announced that Rs 1.05 crore has been sanctioned under the Rangla Punjab Fund for infrastructure development in these villages. The grant will be used for construction of community halls, LED street lighting, playgrounds, cremation grounds, Dharamshalas, and public sheds.

Villagers from Rohati Chhanna lauded the Punjab Government’s ongoing anti-drug campaign, expressing that their village is now free of drugs for the first time in over four decades. They thanked the Chief Minister and Dr. Balbir Singh for their efforts in reclaiming their village’s dignity.

Singh further directed the officials to ensure delivery of clean drinking water to every household in the identified villages to curb waterborne diseases.