Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 15: Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sukhnandan Choudhary today convened a meeting of officers and engineers of the concerned departments to take stock of post-flood restoration of irrigation canals in Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control Kashmir, Javid Jaffer and Superintending Engineers and Executive Engineers of the department.
The Minister was informed that the work of protection bunds on the banks of water bodies will be taken in hand soon. The Minister was also informed that the drudging works of various irrigation canals are apace and all the irrigation canals would be open within 15 days.
He stressed upon the officers to maintain close coordination and monitor the opening of irrigation canals. He also called for removal of all the encroachments from the irrigation canals and flood-spill channels to ensure free flow of water.
Earlier, the Minister toured district Budgam and took stock of ongoing construction work of Nallah Narspora and Nallah Shali Ganga and Arigam irrigation canal which suffered extensive damage due to heavy rains and flash-floods.
The Minister also visited Government Higher Secondary School Arigam and reviewed rehabilitation of people of Freswara, Shala Nar, Fraslab Ghar Dargan, who were evacuated due to landslides.
He also visited Lift Irrigation Scheme at Tral of Pulwama district and took stock of ongoing restoration works. He was informed that the work for restoration of Lift Irrigation Scheme is apace and will be completed within a week’s time.
The Minister was accompanied by Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control Kashmir, Javid Jaffer and other Engineers of the department.
The Minister also visited Sangam bridge, Talkhan, Hassanpora and other villages of the area.
Various deputations met the Minister and apprised him about their problems.
The Minister assured the deputationists that their genuine demands would be addressed on priority basis.
The Minister also met the Member Parliament Nazir Ahmad Laway.