No flood-like situation in Patiala: Minister

Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh today assured residents that there is no flood-like situation in Patiala district and all precautionary measures are in place to ensure public safety.

He said while several districts of Punjab were facing floods due to heavy rainfall in the hilly areas, water level in Patiala rivers and drains, including the Badi and Chhoti Nadi, remain well below the danger mark. “The people of Patiala need not panic as the administration has taken all necessary steps to deal with any eventuality,” he added.

Dr Balbir Singh conducted an extensive review of the rainwater drainage arrangements in the district. He inspected the under-construction Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) on Badi Nadi, Daulatpur, Gurdwara Sahib Falauli, Badi Nadi Bridge on Rajpura Road, Gobind Bagh, and Heera Bagh. He was accompanied by Senior Deputy Mayor Harinder Kohli, local councillors, and other prominent citizens. The minister said a round-the-clock monitoring system had been put in place for rivers and drains passing through the district. Emergency response teams have been deployed, and the district flood control room is functional 24 hours with helpline numbers 0175-2350550 and 2358550 to address any grievances related to water drainage.

During the inspection, Dr Balbir Singh directed officials to ensure the cleaning of the road leading to the STP and to expedite completion of the project at the earliest.

At Falauli, he instructed the cleaning and desilting of the drain to ensure smooth flow of water. He also announced plans to construct a large pond in Falauli along with half a dozen smaller ponds along the riverbanks, which would have the capacity to store 40,000 to 50,000

cusecs of water in case of river overflow.

At Daulatpur, the minister reviewed the progress of the under-construction bridge and instructed officials to repair the temporary passage built for the public so that residents do not face inconvenience. He appealed to people not to encroach upon the natural flow channels of water, warning that strict action would be taken against violators.

Deputy Commissioner Preeti Yadav, Municipal Commissioner Paramvir Singh, ADC Navreet Kaur Sekhon, Amarinder Singh Tiwana, and senior officers of the drainage department were present during the review.