Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 8: Underlining the importance of sanitation particularly during monsoon, Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture, Raman Bhalla, today asked the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) to gear up its men and machinery to carry out sanitation drive in nallahs in different areas of City of Temples particularly flood affected localities.
The Minister was interacting with the JMC officers during his tour to Nanak Nagar Sector 9, 10 and 14 and inspection of desilting work of nallah which is badly choked.
Mr. Bhalla called upon the people not to dump building material in the nallahs which causes blockage in nallahs during rainy season resulting flow of water into their houses. He called upon the people to avoid encroachments on nallah land, adding that such practices hinder the efforts of JMC in removing debris.
The Minister asked the JMC to remove debris from nallahs situated at Channi Himmat, Rahim Nagar, Rajiv Nagar, Gangyal, Digiana, Trikuta Nagar Extension, Bhour Camp so that the residents of these areas do not face any inconvenience during rainy season.
Mr. Bhalla said for channelisation of Trikuta Nagar, Nanak Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Digiana Ashram, Ambedkar Nagar, Channi Himmat, Dashmash Nagar, Gangyal and Rampura nallahs, Government has approved a plan of Rs 68 crore. The Minister called upon the people to evict encroached land of nallah voluntarily as the Economic Reconstruction Agency has been directed to demolish illegal constructions by the encroachers.
Responding to the demand of Trikuta Nagar Extension people, Mr. Bhalla informed that Government has earmarked Rs. 20 lakh for construction of 150-meter retaining wall of nallah near Sai Vihar. Besides, Rs. 40 lakh have been earmarked for upgradation of internal links of deep drains of Trikuta Nagar.
Later, the Minister visited R. S Pura and distributed free ration and blankets among the poor sections of the area.