Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 17: Expressing grave concern over poor quality of work on various flood protection and channelization schemes along Devak and Basantar rivers in Vijaypur constituency during the previous regime, Minister for Industries and Commerce, Chander Parkash Ganga today said that this has rendered most of the areas vulnerable.
During his extensive tour of various border villages of the constituency that have been affected due to heavy rains and floods, the Minister said that the Government is taking all necessary measures to protect the flood-prone areas so that the people are not made to live in perpetual fear of floods and water logging. He hoped that the people will cooperate with the concerned agencies and also monitor the schemes to ensure quality work.
The Minister inspected progress on the construction of crates along Devak river in Koulpur and Kolampur villages and directed engineers to expedite work in view of its urgency. He directed for modification in existing channels so that water is diverted to save peripheral villages and land holdings.
He visited the flood prone areas and sought immediate measures to plug the water flow. He directed the Executive Engineer to continue the channelization and protection work upto Ratanpur which has suffered the most causing damage to residential buildings and the livestock.
The Minister said that effective measures are in the pipeline for raising bunds and protection walls alongside the river and when completed these will ensure the safety of adjoining villages.
The Minister, during his visit to Pakhri, was informed about the damage to 10 MVA transformer in the village due to rains. He passed on instructions for restoring the damaged transformer within three days.
Meanwhile, at Barota, the Minister directed the officers for immediate installation of electric poles which have been washed away in floods. He castigated those exploiting the people by taking advantage of floods and said they were creating obstacles in the restoration works by inciting passions. In this context he referred to situation created in the area at the behest of anti-social elements by blocking the National Highway and said this was detrimental to the public interest especially in the wake of ongoing Amarnath Yatra.
Deputy Commissioner, Samba, Sheetal Nanda and senior officers of the civil and police administration accompanied the Minister during his visit to rain and flood hit areas of the Vijaypur constituency
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