Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, May 20: Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Choudhary and Minister for Industries and Commerce, Chander Parkash Ganga today kick started the construction work of protection wall on River Basantar at Tanwar Post in Ramgarh area of Samba.
The protection wall having a length of 222 m would be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 67 lakh.
Deputy Commissioner, Sheetal Nanda, DIG BSF (SHQ) Pradeep Katyal, Chief Engineer, PHE Susheel Aima, Chief Engineer, Ravi-Tawi Irrigation Complex Mahesh Das, Commandant 176 Bn Yograj, Commandant 80 Bn Rajesh Kumar, SSP, Anil Magotra, SDM Vijaypur Ravinder Sharma and other officers of PHE, I&FC Department were present on the occasion.
While inspecting the site for construction of protection wall, the Ministers directed the concerned officers to complete the requisite formalities for construction of diversion channels on river Basantar in Chajwal-Tanwar Post area and construction of protection walls downstream of river at Tanwar Post in Mullachak.
Speaking on the occasion, Chander Parkash Ganga said the protection wall will help in reducing damage caused to the livestock, houses and agricultural land when the water level in river Basantar rises. The government has also started various developmental works in the area for the upliftment of villagers, he added.
Meanwhile, Sham Lal Choudhary informed that a mega project has been prepared to construct protection wall over the length of 2.5 km along river Basantar.
He further said that the construction work of protection wall at Tanwar Post would be completed before the onset of monsoon and will check ill effects of river overflow during heavy rains.
The Minister also inaugurated Water Supply Scheme, Penthi constructed at the cost of Rs 1.99 crore.
The WSS having a discharge capacity of 4000 GPH would supply clean drinking water to Phangwal, Lower Niyari, Penthi and its adjoining areas.
MLA, Samba Dr DK Manyal was also present on the occasion.