Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini today directed Deputy Commissioners overseeing flood protection efforts in the districts to give priority to the cleaning of drains ahead of the monsoon season in their respective districts. He instructed them to immediately prepare a schedule and assign officers to monitor the work, ensuring its completion before June 15.
In addition, all Superintending Engineers in the field must ensure that drain cleaning is carried out in their respective areas.
The CM was presiding over a meeting with officers from the Irrigation and Water Resources Department and the Public Health Engineering Department to review short-term flood protection works and the internal clearance of drains.
It was informed that the irrigation department was working on a project to utilise the existing channels of the SYL and Hansi-Butana link canals for water storage during the monsoon. The plan involves diverting water from drains and the Ghaggar into the canals and constructing temporary barriers to retain the water. This will not only prevent floods and recharge groundwater but also support irrigation.
The CM also instructed the officers to assess the condition and availability of pumps for dewatering purposes. He also directed them to identify the causes of waterlogging in specific areas and provide permanent solutions.
He also reviewed desilting work in Tangri and Markanda rivers.
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