Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 25: Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla today said that Government has approved Rs. 55 crore for channelization of 20.48 kilometer long nullah and construction of new secondary drains in Trikuta Nagar, Nanak Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Digiana Ashram, Ambedkar Nagar, Dashmash Nagar, Gangyal, Rampura, Thanger nallah (T4) and Tributary of Thanger nallah (TT4), adding that the projects have been handed over to Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) under ADB funding for early start of works.
This was stated by the Minister while interacting with the locals at Gangyal after inspecting the various proposed sites for construction and channelization of Landoi Choi and Thanger nallah, here today. Project Manager Jai Gopal Mengi and Deputy Project Manager of ERA accompanied the Minister.
Mr. Bhalla said that the channelization of project would start in the month of December this year from National Highway Bye Pass near Jodhamal School Public school and completed near Mehant Bachiter Singh College in Jeevan Nagar.
He called upon the people of localities to cooperate with the ERA in completing the works within stipulated time frame.
The Minister said people of these areas have faced lot of hardships during monsoon season due to choking of nallah.
He said for providing relief from flash floods in Landoi Choi and Thanger nallahs, the Central Government has approved Rs. 68.10 crore for channelization and rehabilitation of affected families whose land has been coming under the project.
Mr. Bhalla informed that Government has also sanctioned seven new prestigious projects under ERA for Jammu city like construction of OHTs, installation of 19 tube wells, upgradation and replacement of worn out machinery of pumping stations, worn out pipes and strengthening of distribution network at Channi Himmat, Channi Rama, Mattoo Colony, Dilli and Bikram Chowk besides installation of 8000 domestic meters in Gandhi Nagar and Shastri Nagar and construction of Bikram Chowk flyover including widening of 8-lane road from Bikram Chowk to Satwari Chowk.
Earlier, at Gandhi Nagar, several deputations from Sainik Colony, Lower Gaddigarh, Bhour Camp, Bhour Kothey, Channi Himmat, Bathindi, Sunjwan, Gangyal and Nanak Nagar met the Minister and apprised him about the hardships being faced by in the respective localities.
Mr. Bhalla gave patient hearing to them and assured their genuine demands would be looked into on priority basis. He said Government was fully aware of people’s problems and making all out efforts to mitigate the same in a phased manner, adding that there is no constraint of funds in development sectors.